Can A Chef Afford Rent in Waukesha, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.3% of gross income.
Waukesha rent: June 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 Waukesha, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waukesha
View full rent data for Waukesha, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Waukesha, WI?
Median rent in Waukesha is $1,490 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 29.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Waukesha?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Waukesha's current median rent is $1,490/mo, which leaves a $34/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Waukesha?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 50.9 hours a month to cover Waukesha's median rent of $1,490.
Where is rent cheaper than Waukesha for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Milwaukee ($1,469/mo), Milwaukee ($1,461/mo), West Allis ($1,454/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.