Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Arlington Heights, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.5% of gross income.
Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Arlington Heights
View full rent data for Arlington Heights, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Arlington Heights, IL?
Median rent in Arlington Heights is $1,949 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 36.5% 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 Arlington Heights?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Arlington Heights's current median rent is $1,949/mo, which is $347/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Arlington Heights?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 63.3 hours a month to cover Arlington Heights's median rent of $1,949.
Where is rent cheaper than Arlington Heights for a firefighter?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Hoffman Estates ($1,946/mo), Saint Charles ($1,945/mo), Palatine ($1,940/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.