Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Chicago Heights, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.1% of gross income.
Chicago Heights 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 Chicago Heights, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chicago Heights
View full rent data for Chicago Heights, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Chicago Heights, IL?
Median rent in Chicago Heights is $1,498 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 28.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Chicago Heights?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Chicago Heights's current median rent is $1,498/mo, which leaves a $104/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Chicago Heights?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 48.6 hours a month to cover Chicago Heights's median rent of $1,498.
Where is rent cheaper than Chicago Heights for a firefighter?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Bourbonnais ($1,496/mo), Alsip ($1,493/mo), Edwardsville ($1,492/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.