Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Clifton, CO?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.9% of gross income.

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

Clifton median rent
$1,371/mo
Firefighter salary (Colorado)
$65,951/yr
Rent as % of income
24.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,496, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,649/mo in rent. Clifton's median rent of $1,371 leaves roughly $278/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 43.2 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 Clifton, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Manitou Springs, CO
$1,369/mo (24.9% of income)
Manitou Springs, CO
$1,369/mo (24.9% of income)
Manitou Springs, CO
$1,368/mo (24.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Clifton

View full rent data for Clifton, CO

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Clifton, CO?

Median rent in Clifton is $1,371 a month. A typical firefighter in Colorado earns about $65,951 a year, which makes that rent 24.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Clifton?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Colorado (~$65,951/yr) supports up to $1,649 a month in rent. Clifton's current median rent is $1,371/mo, which leaves a $278/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a firefighter in Colorado works roughly 43.2 hours a month to cover Clifton's median rent of $1,371.

Where is rent cheaper than Clifton for a firefighter?

Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Manitou Springs ($1,369/mo), Manitou Springs ($1,369/mo), Manitou Springs ($1,368/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 Clifton, CO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.