Can A Chef Afford Rent in Onalaska, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.4% of gross income.
Onalaska rent: September 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 Onalaska, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Onalaska
View full rent data for Onalaska, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Onalaska, WI?
Median rent in Onalaska is $1,394 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 27.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Onalaska?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Onalaska's current median rent is $1,394/mo, which leaves a $130/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Onalaska?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 47.6 hours a month to cover Onalaska's median rent of $1,394.
Where is rent cheaper than Onalaska for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Stevens Point ($1,393/mo), Stevens Point ($1,392/mo), Milwaukee ($1,392/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.