Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Skokie, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.1% of gross income.
Skokie 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 Skokie, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Skokie
View full rent data for Skokie, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Skokie, IL?
Median rent in Skokie is $2,250 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 42.1% 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 Skokie?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Skokie's current median rent is $2,250/mo, which is $648/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Skokie?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 73 hours a month to cover Skokie's median rent of $2,250.
Where is rent cheaper than Skokie for a firefighter?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Mundelein ($2,249/mo), Downers Grove ($2,249/mo), Streamwood ($2,249/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.