Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Fenton, MI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.1% of gross income.

Fenton rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Michigan state estimate).

Fenton median rent
$1,460/mo
Firefighter salary (Michigan)
$60,298/yr
Rent as % of income
29.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,025, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,507/mo in rent. Fenton's median rent of $1,460 leaves roughly $47/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 50.4 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 Michigan cities have lower median rent than Fenton, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Sterling Heights, MI
$1,459/mo (29% of income)
Royal Oak, MI
$1,459/mo (29% of income)
Dearborn Heights, MI
$1,459/mo (29% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Fenton

View full rent data for Fenton, MI

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Fenton, MI?

Median rent in Fenton is $1,460 a month. A typical firefighter in Michigan earns about $60,298 a year, which makes that rent 29.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Fenton?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Michigan (~$60,298/yr) supports up to $1,507 a month in rent. Fenton's current median rent is $1,460/mo, which leaves a $47/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Michigan works roughly 50.4 hours a month to cover Fenton's median rent of $1,460.

Where is rent cheaper than Fenton for a firefighter?

Nearby Michigan cities with lower median rent include Sterling Heights ($1,459/mo), Royal Oak ($1,459/mo), Dearborn Heights ($1,459/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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