Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Columbia, SC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.1% of gross income.
Columbia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina 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 South Carolina cities have lower median rent than Columbia, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbia
View full rent data for Columbia, SC →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Columbia, SC?
Median rent in Columbia is $1,478 a month. A typical firefighter in South Carolina earns about $55,273 a year, which makes that rent 32.1% 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 Columbia?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in South Carolina (~$55,273/yr) supports up to $1,382 a month in rent. Columbia's current median rent is $1,478/mo, which is $96/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Columbia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in South Carolina works roughly 55.6 hours a month to cover Columbia's median rent of $1,478.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbia for a firefighter?
Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Port Royal ($1,471/mo), Forest Acres ($1,469/mo), North Myrtle Beach ($1,469/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.