Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Emporia, KS?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.3% of gross income.
Emporia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Emporia, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Emporia
View full rent data for Emporia, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Emporia, KS?
Median rent in Emporia is $860 a month. A typical firefighter in Kansas earns about $56,529 a year, which makes that rent 18.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Emporia?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Kansas (~$56,529/yr) supports up to $1,413 a month in rent. Emporia's current median rent is $860/mo, which leaves a $553/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Emporia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in Kansas works roughly 31.6 hours a month to cover Emporia's median rent of $860.
Where is rent cheaper than Emporia for a firefighter?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Pittsburg ($859/mo), Manhattan ($855/mo), Hutchinson ($853/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.