Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Berkeley, MO?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.7% of gross income.
Berkeley rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri 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 Missouri cities have lower median rent than Berkeley, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Berkeley
View full rent data for Berkeley, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Berkeley, MO?
Median rent in Berkeley is $1,336 a month. A typical firefighter in Missouri earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 27.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Berkeley?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Missouri (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Berkeley's current median rent is $1,336/mo, which leaves a $109/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Berkeley?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Missouri works roughly 48.1 hours a month to cover Berkeley's median rent of $1,336.
Where is rent cheaper than Berkeley for a firefighter?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Hazelwood ($1,335/mo), Independence ($1,334/mo), Liberty ($1,333/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.