Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Knoxville, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36% of gross income.
Knoxville 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 Knoxville, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Knoxville
View full rent data for Knoxville, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Knoxville, TN?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,735 a month. A typical firefighter in Tennessee earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 36% 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 Knoxville?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Tennessee (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Knoxville's current median rent is $1,735/mo, which is $290/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Knoxville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Tennessee works roughly 62.5 hours a month to cover Knoxville's median rent of $1,735.
Where is rent cheaper than Knoxville for a firefighter?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Goodlettsville ($1,733/mo), Alcoa ($1,732/mo), Lenoir City ($1,732/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.