Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in New Haven, CT?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.9% of gross income.
New Haven 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 New Haven, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for New Haven
View full rent data for New Haven, CT →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in New Haven, CT?
Median rent in New Haven is $2,242 a month. A typical firefighter in Connecticut earns about $69,091 a year, which makes that rent 38.9% 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 New Haven?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Connecticut (~$69,091/yr) supports up to $1,727 a month in rent. New Haven's current median rent is $2,242/mo, which is $515/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in New Haven?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Connecticut works roughly 67.5 hours a month to cover New Haven's median rent of $2,242.
Where is rent cheaper than New Haven for a firefighter?
Nearby Connecticut cities with lower median rent include West Hartford ($2,241/mo), West Hartford ($2,239/mo), South Windsor ($2,235/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.