Can A Chef Afford Rent in Wauwatosa, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.2% of gross income.
Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wauwatosa
View full rent data for Wauwatosa, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Wauwatosa, WI?
Median rent in Wauwatosa is $1,686 a month. A typical chef in Wisconsin earns about $60,943 a year, which makes that rent 33.2% 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 Wauwatosa?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Wisconsin (~$60,943/yr) supports up to $1,524 a month in rent. Wauwatosa's current median rent is $1,686/mo, which is $162/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Wauwatosa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Wisconsin works roughly 57.5 hours a month to cover Wauwatosa's median rent of $1,686.
Where is rent cheaper than Wauwatosa for a chef?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Mount Pleasant ($1,685/mo), Mount Pleasant ($1,684/mo), Franklin ($1,684/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.