Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Carbondale, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 73.4% of gross income.
Carbondale rent: May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Carbondale, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Carbondale
View full rent data for Carbondale, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Carbondale, CO?
Median rent in Carbondale is $4,033 a month. A typical firefighter in Colorado earns about $65,951 a year, which makes that rent 73.4% 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 Carbondale?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Colorado (~$65,951/yr) supports up to $1,649 a month in rent. Carbondale's current median rent is $4,033/mo, which is $2,384/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Carbondale?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a firefighter in Colorado works roughly 127.2 hours a month to cover Carbondale's median rent of $4,033.
Where is rent cheaper than Carbondale for a firefighter?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Silverthorne ($3,766/mo), Vail ($3,733/mo), Silverthorne ($3,711/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.