Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Papillion, NE?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.8% of gross income.

Papillion rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Nebraska state estimate).

Papillion median rent
$1,693/mo
Firefighter salary (Nebraska)
$58,413/yr
Rent as % of income
34.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,868, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,460/mo in rent. Papillion's median rent of $1,693 exceeds that threshold by $233/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 60.3 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 Nebraska cities have lower median rent than Papillion, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Gretna, NE
$1,659/mo (34.1% of income)
Gretna, NE
$1,642/mo (33.7% of income)
Gretna, NE
$1,624/mo (33.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Papillion

View full rent data for Papillion, NE

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Papillion, NE?

Median rent in Papillion is $1,693 a month. A typical firefighter in Nebraska earns about $58,413 a year, which makes that rent 34.8% 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 Papillion?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Nebraska (~$58,413/yr) supports up to $1,460 a month in rent. Papillion's current median rent is $1,693/mo, which is $233/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Nebraska works roughly 60.3 hours a month to cover Papillion's median rent of $1,693.

Where is rent cheaper than Papillion for a firefighter?

Nearby Nebraska cities with lower median rent include Gretna ($1,659/mo), Gretna ($1,642/mo), Gretna ($1,624/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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