Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Harker Heights, TX?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.1% of gross income.

Harker Heights rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

Harker Heights median rent
$1,612/mo
Firefighter salary (Texas)
$62,182/yr
Rent as % of income
31.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,182, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,555/mo in rent. Harker Heights's median rent of $1,612 exceeds that threshold by $57/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 53.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Harker Heights, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Cedar Hill, TX
$1,611/mo (31.1% of income)
Kennedale, TX
$1,611/mo (31.1% of income)
Horizon City, TX
$1,611/mo (31.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Harker Heights

View full rent data for Harker Heights, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Harker Heights, TX?

Median rent in Harker Heights is $1,612 a month. A typical firefighter in Texas earns about $62,182 a year, which makes that rent 31.1% 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 Harker Heights?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Texas (~$62,182/yr) supports up to $1,555 a month in rent. Harker Heights's current median rent is $1,612/mo, which is $57/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Harker Heights?

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a firefighter in Texas works roughly 53.9 hours a month to cover Harker Heights's median rent of $1,612.

Where is rent cheaper than Harker Heights for a firefighter?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Cedar Hill ($1,611/mo), Kennedale ($1,611/mo), Horizon City ($1,611/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Texas state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Harker Heights, TX. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.