Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Chattanooga, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.3% of gross income.
Chattanooga rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Chattanooga, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chattanooga
View full rent data for Chattanooga, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
Median rent in Chattanooga is $1,505 a month. A typical firefighter in Tennessee earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 31.3% 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 Chattanooga?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Tennessee (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Chattanooga's current median rent is $1,505/mo, which is $60/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Chattanooga?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Tennessee works roughly 54.2 hours a month to cover Chattanooga's median rent of $1,505.
Where is rent cheaper than Chattanooga for a firefighter?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Morristown ($1,502/mo), Cordova ($1,500/mo), Smithville ($1,500/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.