Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in The Villages, FL?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.3% of gross income.

The Villages rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida state estimate).

The Villages median rent
$2,256/mo
Firefighter salary (Florida)
$58,413/yr
Rent as % of income
46.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,868, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,460/mo in rent. The Villages's median rent of $2,256 exceeds that threshold by $796/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 80.3 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 The Villages, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

West Palm Beach, FL
$2,255/mo (46.3% of income)
Riviera Beach, FL
$2,255/mo (46.3% of income)
Gibsonton, FL
$2,255/mo (46.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for The Villages

View full rent data for The Villages, FL

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in The Villages, FL?

Median rent in The Villages is $2,256 a month. A typical firefighter in Florida earns about $58,413 a year, which makes that rent 46.3% 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 The Villages?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Florida (~$58,413/yr) supports up to $1,460 a month in rent. The Villages's current median rent is $2,256/mo, which is $796/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in The Villages?

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Florida works roughly 80.3 hours a month to cover The Villages's median rent of $2,256.

Where is rent cheaper than The Villages for a firefighter?

Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include West Palm Beach ($2,255/mo), Riviera Beach ($2,255/mo), Gibsonton ($2,255/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 The Villages, FL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.