Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Dearborn Heights, MI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29% of gross income.
Dearborn Heights rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Michigan 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 Michigan cities have lower median rent than Dearborn Heights, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Dearborn Heights
View full rent data for Dearborn Heights, MI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Dearborn Heights, MI?
Median rent in Dearborn Heights is $1,459 a month. A typical firefighter in Michigan earns about $60,298 a year, which makes that rent 29% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Dearborn Heights?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Michigan (~$60,298/yr) supports up to $1,507 a month in rent. Dearborn Heights's current median rent is $1,459/mo, which leaves a $48/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Dearborn Heights?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Michigan works roughly 50.3 hours a month to cover Dearborn Heights's median rent of $1,459.
Where is rent cheaper than Dearborn Heights for a firefighter?
Nearby Michigan cities with lower median rent include Grosse Pointe Park ($1,458/mo), Sterling Heights ($1,457/mo), Hazel Park ($1,457/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.