Can A Chef Afford Rent in South Milwaukee, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.7% of gross income.
South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Milwaukee
View full rent data for South Milwaukee, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in South Milwaukee, WI?
Median rent in South Milwaukee is $1,154 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 22.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in South Milwaukee?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. South Milwaukee's current median rent is $1,154/mo, which leaves a $370/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in South Milwaukee?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 39.4 hours a month to cover South Milwaukee's median rent of $1,154.
Where is rent cheaper than South Milwaukee for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Racine ($1,150/mo), Watertown ($1,149/mo), West Bend ($1,149/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.