Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Mesa, AZ?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Mesa rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona 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 Arizona cities have lower median rent than Mesa, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Mesa
View full rent data for Mesa, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Mesa, AZ?
Median rent in Mesa is $1,549 a month. A typical firefighter in Arizona earns about $60,926 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Mesa?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Arizona (~$60,926/yr) supports up to $1,523 a month in rent. Mesa's current median rent is $1,549/mo, which is $26/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Mesa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Arizona works roughly 52.9 hours a month to cover Mesa's median rent of $1,549.
Where is rent cheaper than Mesa for a firefighter?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Oro Valley ($1,548/mo), Glendale ($1,548/mo), Glendale ($1,548/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.