Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Starkville, MS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.1% of gross income.
Starkville rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Mississippi 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 Mississippi cities have lower median rent than Starkville, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Starkville
View full rent data for Starkville, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Starkville, MS?
Median rent in Starkville is $1,571 a month. A typical firefighter in Mississippi earns about $50,876 a year, which makes that rent 37.1% 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 Starkville?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Mississippi (~$50,876/yr) supports up to $1,272 a month in rent. Starkville's current median rent is $1,571/mo, which is $299/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Starkville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a firefighter in Mississippi works roughly 64.2 hours a month to cover Starkville's median rent of $1,571.
Where is rent cheaper than Starkville for a firefighter?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Olive Branch ($1,567/mo), Horn Lake ($1,551/mo), Diberville ($1,549/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.