Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Florence, SC?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.5% of gross income.

Florence rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina state estimate).

Florence median rent
$1,313/mo
Firefighter salary (South Carolina)
$55,273/yr
Rent as % of income
28.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,606, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,382/mo in rent. Florence's median rent of $1,313 leaves roughly $69/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 49.4 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Florence, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Aiken, SC
$1,311/mo (28.5% of income)
Spartanburg, SC
$1,309/mo (28.4% of income)
Central, SC
$1,309/mo (28.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Florence

View full rent data for Florence, SC

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Florence, SC?

Median rent in Florence is $1,313 a month. A typical firefighter in South Carolina earns about $55,273 a year, which makes that rent 28.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Florence?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in South Carolina (~$55,273/yr) supports up to $1,382 a month in rent. Florence's current median rent is $1,313/mo, which leaves a $69/mo buffer.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Florence?

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in South Carolina works roughly 49.4 hours a month to cover Florence's median rent of $1,313.

Where is rent cheaper than Florence for a firefighter?

Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Aiken ($1,311/mo), Spartanburg ($1,309/mo), Central ($1,309/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived South Carolina state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Florence, SC. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.