Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Lewiston, ID?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Lewiston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Idaho 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 Idaho cities have lower median rent than Lewiston, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lewiston
View full rent data for Lewiston, ID →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Lewiston, ID?
Median rent in Lewiston is $1,419 a month. A typical firefighter in Idaho earns about $55,901 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% 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 Lewiston?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Idaho (~$55,901/yr) supports up to $1,398 a month in rent. Lewiston's current median rent is $1,419/mo, which is $21/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Lewiston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in Idaho works roughly 52.8 hours a month to cover Lewiston's median rent of $1,419.
Where is rent cheaper than Lewiston for a firefighter?
Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Idaho Falls ($1,404/mo), Meridian ($1,404/mo), Post Falls ($1,392/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.