Can A Chef Afford Rent in Oak Creek, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35% of gross income.
Oak Creek rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).
About rent and a chef salary
Chef pay varies sharply by restaurant type, with executive chefs at high-end establishments earning materially above the BLS mean. At the national-average chef salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,604 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Oak Creek, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Oak Creek
View full rent data for Oak Creek, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Oak Creek, WI?
Median rent in Oak Creek is $1,776 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 35% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a chef afford in Oak Creek?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Oak Creek's current median rent is $1,776/mo, which is $252/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Oak Creek?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 60.6 hours a month to cover Oak Creek's median rent of $1,776.
Where is rent cheaper than Oak Creek for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Oconomowoc ($1,775/mo), De Forest ($1,774/mo), Glendale ($1,772/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.