Rent Affordability for Firefighters in the US
As of May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024. Rent: ZORI monthly.
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.
Where rent is most affordable: states with the highest firefighter pay
| State | Avg salary | Affordable rent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $78,513/yr | $1,963/mo | View cities › |
| California | $74,116/yr | $1,853/mo | View cities › |
| Massachusetts | $72,860/yr | $1,822/mo | View cities › |
| New York | $71,603/yr | $1,790/mo | View cities › |
| Alaska | $70,347/yr | $1,759/mo | View cities › |
| New Jersey | $70,347/yr | $1,759/mo | View cities › |
| Washington | $70,347/yr | $1,759/mo | View cities › |
| Connecticut | $69,091/yr | $1,727/mo | View cities › |
| Hawaii | $67,835/yr | $1,696/mo | View cities › |
| Maryland | $67,835/yr | $1,696/mo | View cities › |
Where rent stretches the salary furthest: states with the lowest firefighter pay
| State | Avg salary | Affordable rent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $50,876/yr | $1,272/mo | View cities › |
| Arkansas | $52,132/yr | $1,303/mo | View cities › |
| West Virginia | $53,389/yr | $1,335/mo | View cities › |
| Alabama | $54,017/yr | $1,350/mo | View cities › |
| Louisiana | $54,645/yr | $1,366/mo | View cities › |
| South Dakota | $55,273/yr | $1,382/mo | View cities › |
| South Carolina | $55,273/yr | $1,382/mo | View cities › |
| Oklahoma | $55,273/yr | $1,382/mo | View cities › |
| Montana | $55,273/yr | $1,382/mo | View cities › |
| Kentucky | $55,273/yr | $1,382/mo | View cities › |
All states
Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent on base pay alone?
In most US metros, base pay covers comfortable one-bedroom rent under the 30% rule. Overtime, which is common in the profession, expands affordability further. In high-cost coastal cities, base pay alone is typically rent-burdened.
What rent can a firefighter afford?
At the BLS national mean of $62,810, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. Local base pay varies widely by department and state.