Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Tucson, AZ?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.1% of gross income.
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 Tucson, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tucson
View full rent data for Tucson, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
Median rent in Tucson is $1,425 a month. A typical firefighter in Arizona earns about $60,926 a year, which makes that rent 28.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Tucson?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Arizona (~$60,926/yr) supports up to $1,523 a month in rent. Tucson's current median rent is $1,425/mo, which leaves a $98/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Tucson?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in Arizona works roughly 48.6 hours a month to cover Tucson's median rent of $1,425.
Where is rent cheaper than Tucson for a firefighter?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Sierra Vista ($1,423/mo), Youngtown ($1,423/mo), Kingman ($1,422/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.