Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Harlingen, TX?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.9% of gross income.
Harlingen rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Harlingen, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Harlingen
View full rent data for Harlingen, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Harlingen, TX?
Median rent in Harlingen is $1,135 a month. A typical firefighter in Texas earns about $62,182 a year, which makes that rent 21.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Harlingen?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Texas (~$62,182/yr) supports up to $1,555 a month in rent. Harlingen's current median rent is $1,135/mo, which leaves a $420/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Harlingen?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a firefighter in Texas works roughly 38 hours a month to cover Harlingen's median rent of $1,135.
Where is rent cheaper than Harlingen for a firefighter?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Orange ($1,133/mo), Pasadena ($1,133/mo), Longview ($1,132/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.