Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in East Lyme, CT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.7% of gross income.
East Lyme rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Connecticut 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 Connecticut cities have lower median rent than East Lyme, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for East Lyme
View full rent data for East Lyme, CT →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in East Lyme, CT?
Median rent in East Lyme is $2,574 a month. A typical firefighter in Connecticut earns about $69,091 a year, which makes that rent 44.7% 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 East Lyme?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Connecticut (~$69,091/yr) supports up to $1,727 a month in rent. East Lyme's current median rent is $2,574/mo, which is $847/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in East Lyme?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Connecticut works roughly 77.5 hours a month to cover East Lyme's median rent of $2,574.
Where is rent cheaper than East Lyme for a firefighter?
Nearby Connecticut cities with lower median rent include Branford ($2,564/mo), Shelton ($2,564/mo), Shelton ($2,557/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.