Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Lima, OH?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.9% of gross income.
Lima 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 Lima, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lima
View full rent data for Lima, OH →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Lima, OH?
Median rent in Lima is $1,176 a month. A typical firefighter in Ohio earns about $59,041 a year, which makes that rent 23.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Lima?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Ohio (~$59,041/yr) supports up to $1,476 a month in rent. Lima's current median rent is $1,176/mo, which leaves a $300/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Lima?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Ohio works roughly 41.4 hours a month to cover Lima's median rent of $1,176.
Where is rent cheaper than Lima for a firefighter?
Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Westerville ($1,173/mo), Dayton ($1,173/mo), Bedford ($1,173/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.