Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Punta Gorda, FL?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.2% of gross income.

Punta Gorda rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida state estimate).

Punta Gorda median rent
$2,152/mo
Firefighter salary (Florida)
$58,413/yr
Rent as % of income
44.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,868, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,460/mo in rent. Punta Gorda's median rent of $2,152 exceeds that threshold by $692/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 76.6 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 Punta Gorda, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Ellenton, FL
$2,151/mo (44.2% of income)
Saint Augustine Beach, FL
$2,151/mo (44.2% of income)
Riverview, FL
$2,151/mo (44.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Punta Gorda

View full rent data for Punta Gorda, FL

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Punta Gorda, FL?

Median rent in Punta Gorda is $2,152 a month. A typical firefighter in Florida earns about $58,413 a year, which makes that rent 44.2% 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 Punta Gorda?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Florida (~$58,413/yr) supports up to $1,460 a month in rent. Punta Gorda's current median rent is $2,152/mo, which is $692/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Florida works roughly 76.6 hours a month to cover Punta Gorda's median rent of $2,152.

Where is rent cheaper than Punta Gorda for a firefighter?

Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Ellenton ($2,151/mo), Saint Augustine Beach ($2,151/mo), Riverview ($2,151/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 Punta Gorda, FL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.