Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Milwaukee, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.5% of gross income.
Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Milwaukee
View full rent data for Milwaukee, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
Median rent in Milwaukee is $1,469 a month. A typical firefighter in Wisconsin earns about $59,670 a year, which makes that rent 29.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Milwaukee?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Wisconsin (~$59,670/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Milwaukee's current median rent is $1,469/mo, which leaves a $23/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Milwaukee?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Wisconsin works roughly 51.2 hours a month to cover Milwaukee's median rent of $1,469.
Where is rent cheaper than Milwaukee for a firefighter?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Waukesha ($1,467/mo), West Allis ($1,454/mo), Waukesha ($1,449/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.