Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Florence, AL?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.3% of gross income.

Florence rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alabama state estimate).

Florence median rent
$1,228/mo
Firefighter salary (Alabama)
$54,017/yr
Rent as % of income
27.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,501, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,350/mo in rent. Florence's median rent of $1,228 leaves roughly $122/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 47.3 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a firefighter salary

Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Alabama cities have lower median rent than Florence, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Bessemer, AL
$1,227/mo (27.3% of income)
Bessemer, AL
$1,224/mo (27.2% of income)
Mobile, AL
$1,224/mo (27.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Florence

View full rent data for Florence, AL

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Florence, AL?

Median rent in Florence is $1,228 a month. A typical firefighter in Alabama earns about $54,017 a year, which makes that rent 27.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Florence?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Alabama (~$54,017/yr) supports up to $1,350 a month in rent. Florence's current median rent is $1,228/mo, which leaves a $122/mo buffer.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Florence?

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a firefighter in Alabama works roughly 47.3 hours a month to cover Florence's median rent of $1,228.

Where is rent cheaper than Florence for a firefighter?

Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Bessemer ($1,227/mo), Bessemer ($1,224/mo), Mobile ($1,224/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Alabama state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Florence, AL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.