Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Batavia, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.
Batavia rent: May 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 Batavia, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Batavia
View full rent data for Batavia, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Batavia, IL?
Median rent in Batavia is $1,900 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Batavia?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Batavia's current median rent is $1,900/mo, which is $298/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Batavia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 61.7 hours a month to cover Batavia's median rent of $1,900.
Where is rent cheaper than Batavia for a firefighter?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Arlington Heights ($1,898/mo), Saint Charles ($1,897/mo), Arlington Heights ($1,896/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.