Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Pelham, AL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.1% of gross income.
Pelham rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alabama state estimate).
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 Pelham, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Pelham
View full rent data for Pelham, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Pelham, AL?
Median rent in Pelham is $1,760 a month. A typical firefighter in Alabama earns about $54,017 a year, which makes that rent 39.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Pelham?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Alabama (~$54,017/yr) supports up to $1,350 a month in rent. Pelham's current median rent is $1,760/mo, which is $410/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Pelham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a firefighter in Alabama works roughly 67.8 hours a month to cover Pelham's median rent of $1,760.
Where is rent cheaper than Pelham for a firefighter?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Moody ($1,759/mo), Margaret ($1,758/mo), Auburn ($1,757/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.