Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Saint Paul, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.2% of gross income.
Saint Paul rent: June 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 Saint Paul, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Saint Paul
View full rent data for Saint Paul, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Saint Paul, MN?
Median rent in Saint Paul is $1,480 a month. A typical firefighter in Minnesota earns about $65,322 a year, which makes that rent 27.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Saint Paul?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Minnesota (~$65,322/yr) supports up to $1,633 a month in rent. Saint Paul's current median rent is $1,480/mo, which leaves a $153/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Saint Paul?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Minnesota works roughly 47.1 hours a month to cover Saint Paul's median rent of $1,480.
Where is rent cheaper than Saint Paul for a firefighter?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Maplewood ($1,479/mo), Burnsville ($1,477/mo), Duluth ($1,477/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.