Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Shaker Heights, OH?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.7% of gross income.
Shaker Heights 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 Shaker Heights, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Shaker Heights
View full rent data for Shaker Heights, OH →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Shaker Heights, OH?
Median rent in Shaker Heights is $1,706 a month. A typical firefighter in Ohio earns about $59,041 a year, which makes that rent 34.7% 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 Shaker Heights?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Ohio (~$59,041/yr) supports up to $1,476 a month in rent. Shaker Heights's current median rent is $1,706/mo, which is $230/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Shaker Heights?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Ohio works roughly 60.1 hours a month to cover Shaker Heights's median rent of $1,706.
Where is rent cheaper than Shaker Heights for a firefighter?
Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Reynoldsburg ($1,705/mo), North Olmsted ($1,703/mo), Sharonville ($1,703/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.