Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Highland, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.5% of gross income.
Highland rent: April 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 Highland, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Highland
View full rent data for Highland, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Highland, IL?
Median rent in Highland is $1,200 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 22.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Highland?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Highland's current median rent is $1,200/mo, which leaves a $402/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Highland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 39 hours a month to cover Highland's median rent of $1,200.
Where is rent cheaper than Highland for a firefighter?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Rockford ($1,199/mo), Peoria ($1,194/mo), Shiloh ($1,192/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.