Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Romulus, MI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.8% of gross income.

Romulus rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Michigan state estimate).

Romulus median rent
$1,195/mo
Firefighter salary (Michigan)
$60,298/yr
Rent as % of income
23.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,025, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,507/mo in rent. Romulus's median rent of $1,195 leaves roughly $312/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 41.2 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 Romulus, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Wyandotte, MI
$1,194/mo (23.8% of income)
Monroe, MI
$1,193/mo (23.7% of income)
Grand Blanc, MI
$1,192/mo (23.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Romulus

View full rent data for Romulus, MI

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Romulus, MI?

Median rent in Romulus is $1,195 a month. A typical firefighter in Michigan earns about $60,298 a year, which makes that rent 23.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Romulus?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Michigan (~$60,298/yr) supports up to $1,507 a month in rent. Romulus's current median rent is $1,195/mo, which leaves a $312/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Michigan works roughly 41.2 hours a month to cover Romulus's median rent of $1,195.

Where is rent cheaper than Romulus for a firefighter?

Nearby Michigan cities with lower median rent include Wyandotte ($1,194/mo), Monroe ($1,193/mo), Grand Blanc ($1,192/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 Romulus, MI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.