Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Shawnee, KS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.1% of gross income.
Shawnee 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 Shawnee, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Shawnee
View full rent data for Shawnee, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Shawnee, KS?
Median rent in Shawnee is $1,796 a month. A typical firefighter in Kansas earns about $56,529 a year, which makes that rent 38.1% 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 Shawnee?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Kansas (~$56,529/yr) supports up to $1,413 a month in rent. Shawnee's current median rent is $1,796/mo, which is $383/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Shawnee?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in Kansas works roughly 66.1 hours a month to cover Shawnee's median rent of $1,796.
Where is rent cheaper than Shawnee for a firefighter?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Leawood ($1,795/mo), Olathe ($1,792/mo), Leawood ($1,790/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.