Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Alton, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.4% of gross income.
Alton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Alton, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Alton
View full rent data for Alton, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Alton, IL?
Median rent in Alton is $985 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 18.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Alton?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Alton's current median rent is $985/mo, which leaves a $617/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Alton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 32 hours a month to cover Alton's median rent of $985.
Where is rent cheaper than Alton for a firefighter?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Decatur ($984/mo), Dixon ($981/mo), Highland ($979/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.