Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Nashville, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.9% of gross income.
Nashville 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 Nashville, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Nashville
View full rent data for Nashville, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Nashville, TN?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,825 a month. A typical firefighter in Tennessee earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 37.9% 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 Nashville?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Tennessee (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Nashville's current median rent is $1,825/mo, which is $380/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Nashville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Tennessee works roughly 65.7 hours a month to cover Nashville's median rent of $1,825.
Where is rent cheaper than Nashville for a firefighter?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Maryville ($1,824/mo), Lenoir City ($1,823/mo), Lenoir City ($1,821/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.