Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Arvada, CO?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.1% of gross income.

Arvada rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado state estimate).

Arvada median rent
$2,094/mo
Firefighter salary (Colorado)
$65,951/yr
Rent as % of income
38.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,496, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,649/mo in rent. Arvada's median rent of $2,094 exceeds that threshold by $445/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 66 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Arvada, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Woodland Park, CO
$2,091/mo (38% of income)
Brighton, CO
$2,091/mo (38% of income)
Security-Widefield, CO
$2,090/mo (38% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Arvada

View full rent data for Arvada, CO

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Arvada, CO?

Median rent in Arvada is $2,094 a month. A typical firefighter in Colorado earns about $65,951 a year, which makes that rent 38.1% 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 Arvada?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Colorado (~$65,951/yr) supports up to $1,649 a month in rent. Arvada's current median rent is $2,094/mo, which is $445/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a firefighter in Colorado works roughly 66 hours a month to cover Arvada's median rent of $2,094.

Where is rent cheaper than Arvada for a firefighter?

Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Woodland Park ($2,091/mo), Brighton ($2,091/mo), Security-Widefield ($2,090/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Colorado state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Arvada, CO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.