Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Albert Lea, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.6% of gross income.
Albert Lea rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota 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 Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Albert Lea, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Albert Lea
View full rent data for Albert Lea, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Albert Lea, MN?
Median rent in Albert Lea is $960 a month. A typical firefighter in Minnesota earns about $65,322 a year, which makes that rent 17.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Albert Lea?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Minnesota (~$65,322/yr) supports up to $1,633 a month in rent. Albert Lea's current median rent is $960/mo, which leaves a $673/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Albert Lea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Minnesota works roughly 30.6 hours a month to cover Albert Lea's median rent of $960.
Where is rent cheaper than Albert Lea for a firefighter?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Austin ($947/mo), Saint Cloud ($905/mo), Saint Cloud ($872/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.