Can A Chef Afford Rent in Wausau, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 20.3% of gross income.
Wausau 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 Wausau, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wausau
View full rent data for Wausau, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Wausau, WI?
Median rent in Wausau is $1,029 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 20.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a chef afford in Wausau?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Wausau's current median rent is $1,029/mo, which leaves a $495/mo buffer.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Wausau?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 35.1 hours a month to cover Wausau's median rent of $1,029.
Where is rent cheaper than Wausau for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Beloit ($1,027/mo), Green Bay ($1,027/mo), Wisconsin Rapids ($1,026/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.