Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Merrillville, IN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.2% of gross income.
Merrillville rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Indiana 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 Indiana cities have lower median rent than Merrillville, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Merrillville
View full rent data for Merrillville, IN →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Merrillville, IN?
Median rent in Merrillville is $1,550 a month. A typical firefighter in Indiana earns about $57,785 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 Merrillville?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Indiana (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Merrillville's current median rent is $1,550/mo, which is $105/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Merrillville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Indiana works roughly 55.8 hours a month to cover Merrillville's median rent of $1,550.
Where is rent cheaper than Merrillville for a firefighter?
Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Greenwood ($1,549/mo), Greenfield ($1,547/mo), Lawrence ($1,546/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.