Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Crystal Lake, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.6% of gross income.
Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Crystal Lake
View full rent data for Crystal Lake, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Crystal Lake, IL?
Median rent in Crystal Lake is $2,112 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 39.6% 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 Crystal Lake?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Crystal Lake's current median rent is $2,112/mo, which is $510/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Crystal Lake?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 68.6 hours a month to cover Crystal Lake's median rent of $2,112.
Where is rent cheaper than Crystal Lake for a firefighter?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Naperville ($2,110/mo), Geneva ($2,110/mo), Lake Bluff ($2,110/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.