Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Baraboo, WI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25% of gross income.

Baraboo rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).

Baraboo median rent
$1,241/mo
Firefighter salary (Wisconsin)
$59,670/yr
Rent as % of income
25%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,973, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,492/mo in rent. Baraboo's median rent of $1,241 leaves roughly $251/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 43.3 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Baraboo, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Chippewa Falls, WI
$1,240/mo (24.9% of income)
Chippewa Falls, WI
$1,237/mo (24.9% of income)
Menomonie, WI
$1,236/mo (24.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Baraboo

View full rent data for Baraboo, WI

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Baraboo, WI?

Median rent in Baraboo is $1,241 a month. A typical firefighter in Wisconsin earns about $59,670 a year, which makes that rent 25% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Baraboo?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Wisconsin (~$59,670/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Baraboo's current median rent is $1,241/mo, which leaves a $251/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Wisconsin works roughly 43.3 hours a month to cover Baraboo's median rent of $1,241.

Where is rent cheaper than Baraboo for a firefighter?

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Chippewa Falls ($1,240/mo), Chippewa Falls ($1,237/mo), Menomonie ($1,236/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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