Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Iowa City, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.2% of gross income.
Iowa City rent: June 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 Iowa City, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Iowa City
View full rent data for Iowa City, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Iowa City, IA?
Median rent in Iowa City is $1,308 a month. A typical firefighter in Iowa earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 27.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Iowa City?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Iowa (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Iowa City's current median rent is $1,308/mo, which leaves a $137/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Iowa City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Iowa works roughly 47.1 hours a month to cover Iowa City's median rent of $1,308.
Where is rent cheaper than Iowa City for a firefighter?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include West Des Moines ($1,304/mo), Urbandale ($1,298/mo), Bettendorf ($1,295/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.