Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Sterling, CO?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 19.5% of gross income.
Sterling rent: June 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 Sterling, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sterling
View full rent data for Sterling, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Sterling, CO?
Median rent in Sterling is $1,070 a month. A typical firefighter in Colorado earns about $65,951 a year, which makes that rent 19.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Sterling?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Colorado (~$65,951/yr) supports up to $1,649 a month in rent. Sterling's current median rent is $1,070/mo, which leaves a $579/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Sterling?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a firefighter in Colorado works roughly 33.7 hours a month to cover Sterling's median rent of $1,070.
Where is rent cheaper than Sterling for a firefighter?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Pueblo ($1,062/mo), Pueblo ($959/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.