Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Appleton, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.9% of gross income.
Appleton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Appleton, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Appleton
View full rent data for Appleton, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Appleton, WI?
Median rent in Appleton is $1,187 a month. A typical firefighter in Wisconsin earns about $59,670 a year, which makes that rent 23.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Appleton?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Wisconsin (~$59,670/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Appleton's current median rent is $1,187/mo, which leaves a $305/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Appleton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Wisconsin works roughly 41.4 hours a month to cover Appleton's median rent of $1,187.
Where is rent cheaper than Appleton for a firefighter?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Janesville ($1,186/mo), Stevens Point ($1,186/mo), Fond du Lac ($1,186/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.