Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Dayton, OH?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.5% of gross income.
Dayton 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 Dayton, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Dayton
View full rent data for Dayton, OH →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Dayton, OH?
Median rent in Dayton is $1,207 a month. A typical firefighter in Ohio earns about $59,041 a year, which makes that rent 24.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Dayton?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Ohio (~$59,041/yr) supports up to $1,476 a month in rent. Dayton's current median rent is $1,207/mo, which leaves a $269/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Dayton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Ohio works roughly 42.5 hours a month to cover Dayton's median rent of $1,207.
Where is rent cheaper than Dayton for a firefighter?
Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Mayfield Heights ($1,206/mo), Euclid ($1,205/mo), Lancaster ($1,205/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.