Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Elm Grove, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 66% of gross income.
Elm Grove rent: April 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 Elm Grove, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Elm Grove
View full rent data for Elm Grove, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Elm Grove, WI?
Median rent in Elm Grove is $3,281 a month. A typical firefighter in Wisconsin earns about $59,670 a year, which makes that rent 66% 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 Elm Grove?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Wisconsin (~$59,670/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Elm Grove's current median rent is $3,281/mo, which is $1,789/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Elm Grove?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Wisconsin works roughly 114.4 hours a month to cover Elm Grove's median rent of $3,281.
Where is rent cheaper than Elm Grove for a firefighter?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Whitefish Bay ($2,819/mo), Whitefish Bay ($2,562/mo), Whitefish Bay ($2,513/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.