Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Bear, DE?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.9% of gross income.
Bear rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Delaware 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 Delaware cities have lower median rent than Bear, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bear
View full rent data for Bear, DE →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Bear, DE?
Median rent in Bear is $2,345 a month. A typical firefighter in Delaware earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 43.9% 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 Bear?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Delaware (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Bear's current median rent is $2,345/mo, which is $743/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Bear?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Delaware works roughly 76.1 hours a month to cover Bear's median rent of $2,345.
Where is rent cheaper than Bear for a firefighter?
Nearby Delaware cities with lower median rent include Lewes ($2,298/mo), Lewes ($2,290/mo), Lewes ($2,270/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.