Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Washington, DC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.7% of gross income.
Washington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (District of Columbia 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.
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, DC →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Washington, DC?
Median rent in Washington is $2,532 a month. A typical firefighter in District of Columbia earns about $78,513 a year, which makes that rent 38.7% 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 Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in District of Columbia (~$78,513/yr) supports up to $1,963 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,532/mo, which is $569/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $38 an hour, a firefighter in District of Columbia works roughly 67.1 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,532.