Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Johnson City, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Johnson City 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 Johnson City, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Johnson City
View full rent data for Johnson City, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Johnson City, TN?
Median rent in Johnson City is $1,467 a month. A typical firefighter in Tennessee earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% 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 Johnson City?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Tennessee (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Johnson City's current median rent is $1,467/mo, which is $22/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Johnson City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Tennessee works roughly 52.8 hours a month to cover Johnson City's median rent of $1,467.
Where is rent cheaper than Johnson City for a firefighter?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Seymour ($1,465/mo), Soddy-Daisy ($1,463/mo), Tullahoma ($1,462/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.