Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Clinton, IA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 16.4% of gross income.

Clinton rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

Clinton median rent
$792/mo
Firefighter salary (Iowa)
$57,785/yr
Rent as % of income
16.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,815, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,445/mo in rent. Clinton's median rent of $792 leaves roughly $653/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 28.5 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Clinton, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Newton, IA
$788/mo (16.4% of income)
Boone, IA
$786/mo (16.3% of income)
Boone, IA
$771/mo (16% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Clinton

View full rent data for Clinton, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Clinton, IA?

Median rent in Clinton is $792 a month. A typical firefighter in Iowa earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 16.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Clinton?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Iowa (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Clinton's current median rent is $792/mo, which leaves a $653/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Iowa works roughly 28.5 hours a month to cover Clinton's median rent of $792.

Where is rent cheaper than Clinton for a firefighter?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Newton ($788/mo), Boone ($786/mo), Boone ($771/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Iowa state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Clinton, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.