Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Rock Island, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.2% of gross income.
Rock Island 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 Rock Island, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rock Island
View full rent data for Rock Island, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Rock Island, IL?
Median rent in Rock Island is $918 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 17.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Rock Island?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Rock Island's current median rent is $918/mo, which leaves a $684/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Rock Island?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 29.8 hours a month to cover Rock Island's median rent of $918.
Where is rent cheaper than Rock Island for a firefighter?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Pekin ($917/mo), Quincy ($905/mo), Quincy ($902/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.