Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Oak Lawn, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.9% of gross income.
Oak Lawn rent: July 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 Oak Lawn, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Oak Lawn
View full rent data for Oak Lawn, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Oak Lawn, IL?
Median rent in Oak Lawn is $1,808 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 33.9% 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 Oak Lawn?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Oak Lawn's current median rent is $1,808/mo, which is $206/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Oak Lawn?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 58.7 hours a month to cover Oak Lawn's median rent of $1,808.
Where is rent cheaper than Oak Lawn for a firefighter?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Park Forest ($1,807/mo), Carol Stream ($1,806/mo), Park Forest ($1,806/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.