Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Woodridge, IL?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.2% of gross income.

Woodridge rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).

Woodridge median rent
$1,718/mo
Firefighter salary (Illinois)
$64,066/yr
Rent as % of income
32.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,339, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,602/mo in rent. Woodridge's median rent of $1,718 exceeds that threshold by $116/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 55.8 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Woodridge, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Lansing, IL
$1,715/mo (32.1% of income)
Elmwood Park, IL
$1,713/mo (32.1% of income)
Grayslake, IL
$1,713/mo (32.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Woodridge

View full rent data for Woodridge, IL

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Woodridge, IL?

Median rent in Woodridge is $1,718 a month. A typical firefighter in Illinois earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 32.2% 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 Woodridge?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Illinois (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Woodridge's current median rent is $1,718/mo, which is $116/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Woodridge?

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Illinois works roughly 55.8 hours a month to cover Woodridge's median rent of $1,718.

Where is rent cheaper than Woodridge for a firefighter?

Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Lansing ($1,715/mo), Elmwood Park ($1,713/mo), Grayslake ($1,713/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Illinois state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Woodridge, IL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.