Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Cleveland, OH?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.1% of gross income.
Cleveland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Ohio 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 Ohio cities have lower median rent than Cleveland, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cleveland
View full rent data for Cleveland, OH →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Cleveland, OH?
Median rent in Cleveland is $1,430 a month. A typical firefighter in Ohio earns about $59,041 a year, which makes that rent 29.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Cleveland?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Ohio (~$59,041/yr) supports up to $1,476 a month in rent. Cleveland's current median rent is $1,430/mo, which leaves a $46/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Cleveland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Ohio works roughly 50.4 hours a month to cover Cleveland's median rent of $1,430.
Where is rent cheaper than Cleveland for a firefighter?
Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Parma ($1,429/mo), Parma ($1,428/mo), North Canton ($1,428/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.