Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Highland Beach, FL?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 136.4% of gross income.

Highland Beach rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida state estimate).

Highland Beach median rent
$6,642/mo
Firefighter salary (Florida)
$58,413/yr
Rent as % of income
136.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,868, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,460/mo in rent. Highland Beach's median rent of $6,642 exceeds that threshold by $5,182/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 236.5 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 Highland Beach, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Palm Beach, FL
$6,605/mo (135.7% of income)
Summerland Key, FL
$6,575/mo (135.1% of income)
Palm Beach, FL
$6,563/mo (134.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Highland Beach

View full rent data for Highland Beach, FL

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Highland Beach, FL?

Median rent in Highland Beach is $6,642 a month. A typical firefighter in Florida earns about $58,413 a year, which makes that rent 136.4% 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 Highland Beach?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Florida (~$58,413/yr) supports up to $1,460 a month in rent. Highland Beach's current median rent is $6,642/mo, which is $5,182/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Florida works roughly 236.5 hours a month to cover Highland Beach's median rent of $6,642.

Where is rent cheaper than Highland Beach for a firefighter?

Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Palm Beach ($6,605/mo), Summerland Key ($6,575/mo), Palm Beach ($6,563/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 Highland Beach, FL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.