Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Lakewood Ranch, FL?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.8% of gross income.

Lakewood Ranch rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida state estimate).

Lakewood Ranch median rent
$2,426/mo
Firefighter salary (Florida)
$58,413/yr
Rent as % of income
49.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,868, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,460/mo in rent. Lakewood Ranch's median rent of $2,426 exceeds that threshold by $966/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 86.4 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 Lakewood Ranch, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Deerfield Beach, FL
$2,425/mo (49.8% of income)
Windermere, FL
$2,424/mo (49.8% of income)
Ave Maria, FL
$2,424/mo (49.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lakewood Ranch

View full rent data for Lakewood Ranch, FL

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Lakewood Ranch, FL?

Median rent in Lakewood Ranch is $2,426 a month. A typical firefighter in Florida earns about $58,413 a year, which makes that rent 49.8% 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 Lakewood Ranch?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Florida (~$58,413/yr) supports up to $1,460 a month in rent. Lakewood Ranch's current median rent is $2,426/mo, which is $966/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Florida works roughly 86.4 hours a month to cover Lakewood Ranch's median rent of $2,426.

Where is rent cheaper than Lakewood Ranch for a firefighter?

Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Deerfield Beach ($2,425/mo), Windermere ($2,424/mo), Ave Maria ($2,424/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 Lakewood Ranch, FL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.