Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Cape Coral, FL?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.3% of gross income.

Cape Coral rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida state estimate).

Cape Coral median rent
$1,912/mo
Firefighter salary (Florida)
$58,413/yr
Rent as % of income
39.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,868, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,460/mo in rent. Cape Coral's median rent of $1,912 exceeds that threshold by $452/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 68.1 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 Florida cities have lower median rent than Cape Coral, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Lake Mary, FL
$1,911/mo (39.3% of income)
Poinciana, FL
$1,911/mo (39.3% of income)
Palm Harbor, FL
$1,911/mo (39.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Cape Coral

View full rent data for Cape Coral, FL

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Cape Coral, FL?

Median rent in Cape Coral is $1,912 a month. A typical firefighter in Florida earns about $58,413 a year, which makes that rent 39.3% 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 Cape Coral?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Florida (~$58,413/yr) supports up to $1,460 a month in rent. Cape Coral's current median rent is $1,912/mo, which is $452/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Florida works roughly 68.1 hours a month to cover Cape Coral's median rent of $1,912.

Where is rent cheaper than Cape Coral for a firefighter?

Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Lake Mary ($1,911/mo), Poinciana ($1,911/mo), Palm Harbor ($1,911/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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