Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in South Tucson, AZ?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23% of gross income.
South Tucson 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 South Tucson, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Tucson
View full rent data for South Tucson, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in South Tucson, AZ?
Median rent in South Tucson is $1,167 a month. A typical firefighter in Arizona earns about $60,926 a year, which makes that rent 23% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in South Tucson?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Arizona (~$60,926/yr) supports up to $1,523 a month in rent. South Tucson's current median rent is $1,167/mo, which leaves a $356/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in South Tucson?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Arizona works roughly 39.8 hours a month to cover South Tucson's median rent of $1,167.
Where is rent cheaper than South Tucson for a firefighter?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Glendale ($1,153/mo), Tucson ($1,107/mo), Casa Grande ($1,103/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.