Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in South Milwaukee, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.1% of gross income.
South 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 South Milwaukee, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Milwaukee
View full rent data for South Milwaukee, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in South Milwaukee, WI?
Median rent in South Milwaukee is $1,250 a month. A typical firefighter in Wisconsin earns about $59,670 a year, which makes that rent 25.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in South Milwaukee?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Wisconsin (~$59,670/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. South Milwaukee's current median rent is $1,250/mo, which leaves a $242/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in South Milwaukee?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Wisconsin works roughly 43.6 hours a month to cover South Milwaukee's median rent of $1,250.
Where is rent cheaper than South Milwaukee for a firefighter?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Kaukauna ($1,248/mo), Menasha ($1,248/mo), Superior ($1,248/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.