Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Bettendorf, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.4% of gross income.
Bettendorf rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).
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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Bettendorf, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bettendorf
View full rent data for Bettendorf, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Bettendorf, IA?
Median rent in Bettendorf is $1,466 a month. A typical firefighter in Iowa earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 30.4% 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 Bettendorf?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Iowa (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Bettendorf's current median rent is $1,466/mo, which is $21/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Bettendorf?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Iowa works roughly 52.8 hours a month to cover Bettendorf's median rent of $1,466.
Where is rent cheaper than Bettendorf for a firefighter?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Ankeny ($1,464/mo), Ankeny ($1,460/mo), Ankeny ($1,453/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.