Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Westport, CT?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 174.2% of gross income.

Westport rent: May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Connecticut state estimate).

Westport median rent
$10,029/mo
Firefighter salary (Connecticut)
$69,091/yr
Rent as % of income
174.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,758, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,727/mo in rent. Westport's median rent of $10,029 exceeds that threshold by $8,302/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 301.9 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 Connecticut cities have lower median rent than Westport, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Darien, CT
$6,478/mo (112.5% of income)
Greenwich, CT
$5,885/mo (102.2% of income)
Darien, CT
$5,303/mo (92.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Westport

View full rent data for Westport, CT

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Westport, CT?

Median rent in Westport is $10,029 a month. A typical firefighter in Connecticut earns about $69,091 a year, which makes that rent 174.2% 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 Westport?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Connecticut (~$69,091/yr) supports up to $1,727 a month in rent. Westport's current median rent is $10,029/mo, which is $8,302/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Connecticut works roughly 301.9 hours a month to cover Westport's median rent of $10,029.

Where is rent cheaper than Westport for a firefighter?

Nearby Connecticut cities with lower median rent include Darien ($6,478/mo), Greenwich ($5,885/mo), Darien ($5,303/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Connecticut state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Westport, CT. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.