Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Monroe, LA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.

Monroe rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana state estimate).

Monroe median rent
$1,622/mo
Firefighter salary (Louisiana)
$54,645/yr
Rent as % of income
35.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,554, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,366/mo in rent. Monroe's median rent of $1,622 exceeds that threshold by $256/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 61.7 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 Louisiana cities have lower median rent than Monroe, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Zachary, LA
$1,620/mo (35.6% of income)
Ponchatoula, LA
$1,619/mo (35.6% of income)
Ponchatoula, LA
$1,617/mo (35.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Monroe

View full rent data for Monroe, LA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Monroe, LA?

Median rent in Monroe is $1,622 a month. A typical firefighter in Louisiana earns about $54,645 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Monroe?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Louisiana (~$54,645/yr) supports up to $1,366 a month in rent. Monroe's current median rent is $1,622/mo, which is $256/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a firefighter in Louisiana works roughly 61.7 hours a month to cover Monroe's median rent of $1,622.

Where is rent cheaper than Monroe for a firefighter?

Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Zachary ($1,620/mo), Ponchatoula ($1,619/mo), Ponchatoula ($1,617/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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