Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Kingsport, TN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.1% of gross income.
Kingsport 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 Kingsport, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kingsport
View full rent data for Kingsport, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Kingsport, TN?
Median rent in Kingsport is $1,355 a month. A typical firefighter in Tennessee earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 28.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Kingsport?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Tennessee (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Kingsport's current median rent is $1,355/mo, which leaves a $90/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Kingsport?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Tennessee works roughly 48.8 hours a month to cover Kingsport's median rent of $1,355.
Where is rent cheaper than Kingsport for a firefighter?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Jackson ($1,354/mo), Jackson ($1,353/mo), Jackson ($1,353/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.