Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Minneapolis, MN?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31% of gross income.

Minneapolis rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota state estimate).

Minneapolis median rent
$1,686/mo
Firefighter salary (Minnesota)
$65,322/yr
Rent as % of income
31%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,444, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,633/mo in rent. Minneapolis's median rent of $1,686 exceeds that threshold by $53/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 53.7 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 Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Minneapolis, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Saint Louis Park, MN
$1,684/mo (30.9% of income)
Bloomington, MN
$1,684/mo (30.9% of income)
White Bear Lake, MN
$1,683/mo (30.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Minneapolis

View full rent data for Minneapolis, MN

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Minneapolis, MN?

Median rent in Minneapolis is $1,686 a month. A typical firefighter in Minnesota earns about $65,322 a year, which makes that rent 31% 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 Minneapolis?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Minnesota (~$65,322/yr) supports up to $1,633 a month in rent. Minneapolis's current median rent is $1,686/mo, which is $53/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Minnesota works roughly 53.7 hours a month to cover Minneapolis's median rent of $1,686.

Where is rent cheaper than Minneapolis for a firefighter?

Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Saint Louis Park ($1,684/mo), Bloomington ($1,684/mo), White Bear Lake ($1,683/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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