Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22% of gross income.

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

Wisconsin Rapids median rent
$1,095/mo
Firefighter salary (Wisconsin)
$59,670/yr
Rent as % of income
22%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,973, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,492/mo in rent. Wisconsin Rapids's median rent of $1,095 leaves roughly $397/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 38.2 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 Wisconsin Rapids, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

West Bend, WI
$1,094/mo (22% of income)
La Crosse, WI
$1,087/mo (21.9% of income)
Beloit, WI
$1,087/mo (21.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Wisconsin Rapids

View full rent data for Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Wisconsin Rapids, WI?

Median rent in Wisconsin Rapids is $1,095 a month. A typical firefighter in Wisconsin earns about $59,670 a year, which makes that rent 22% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Wisconsin Rapids?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Wisconsin (~$59,670/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Wisconsin Rapids's current median rent is $1,095/mo, which leaves a $397/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Wisconsin works roughly 38.2 hours a month to cover Wisconsin Rapids's median rent of $1,095.

Where is rent cheaper than Wisconsin Rapids for a firefighter?

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include West Bend ($1,094/mo), La Crosse ($1,087/mo), Beloit ($1,087/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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.