Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Johnston, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.7% of gross income.
Johnston 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 Johnston, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Johnston
View full rent data for Johnston, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Johnston, IA?
Median rent in Johnston is $1,382 a month. A typical firefighter in Iowa earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 28.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Johnston?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Iowa (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Johnston's current median rent is $1,382/mo, which leaves a $63/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Johnston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Iowa works roughly 49.7 hours a month to cover Johnston's median rent of $1,382.
Where is rent cheaper than Johnston for a firefighter?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Grimes ($1,379/mo), Grimes ($1,378/mo), Grimes ($1,376/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.