Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in West Bend, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.7% of gross income.
West Bend 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 West Bend, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Bend
View full rent data for West Bend, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in West Bend, WI?
Median rent in West Bend is $1,425 a month. A typical firefighter in Wisconsin earns about $59,670 a year, which makes that rent 28.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in West Bend?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Wisconsin (~$59,670/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. West Bend's current median rent is $1,425/mo, which leaves a $67/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in West Bend?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Wisconsin works roughly 49.7 hours a month to cover West Bend's median rent of $1,425.
Where is rent cheaper than West Bend for a firefighter?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Superior ($1,424/mo), Waukesha ($1,419/mo), Waukesha ($1,412/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.