Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in McAllen, TX?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.8% of gross income.
McAllen 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 McAllen, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for McAllen
View full rent data for McAllen, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in McAllen, TX?
Median rent in McAllen is $1,283 a month. A typical firefighter in Texas earns about $62,182 a year, which makes that rent 24.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in McAllen?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Texas (~$62,182/yr) supports up to $1,555 a month in rent. McAllen's current median rent is $1,283/mo, which leaves a $272/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in McAllen?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a firefighter in Texas works roughly 42.9 hours a month to cover McAllen's median rent of $1,283.
Where is rent cheaper than McAllen for a firefighter?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Corsicana ($1,282/mo), Tyler ($1,282/mo), Jersey Village ($1,282/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.