Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Saint Michael, MN?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.7% of gross income.

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

Saint Michael median rent
$1,778/mo
Firefighter salary (Minnesota)
$65,322/yr
Rent as % of income
32.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,444, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,633/mo in rent. Saint Michael's median rent of $1,778 exceeds that threshold by $145/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 56.6 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 Saint Michael, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Duluth, MN
$1,775/mo (32.6% of income)
Duluth, MN
$1,772/mo (32.6% of income)
Eden Prairie, MN
$1,772/mo (32.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Saint Michael

View full rent data for Saint Michael, MN

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Saint Michael, MN?

Median rent in Saint Michael is $1,778 a month. A typical firefighter in Minnesota earns about $65,322 a year, which makes that rent 32.7% 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 Saint Michael?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Minnesota (~$65,322/yr) supports up to $1,633 a month in rent. Saint Michael's current median rent is $1,778/mo, which is $145/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Minnesota works roughly 56.6 hours a month to cover Saint Michael's median rent of $1,778.

Where is rent cheaper than Saint Michael for a firefighter?

Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Duluth ($1,775/mo), Duluth ($1,772/mo), Eden Prairie ($1,772/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 Saint Michael, MN. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.