Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Melrose, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.8% of gross income.
Melrose rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Melrose, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Melrose
View full rent data for Melrose, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Melrose, MA?
Median rent in Melrose is $3,026 a month. A typical firefighter in Massachusetts earns about $72,860 a year, which makes that rent 49.8% 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 Melrose?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Massachusetts (~$72,860/yr) supports up to $1,822 a month in rent. Melrose's current median rent is $3,026/mo, which is $1,204/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Melrose?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a firefighter in Massachusetts works roughly 86.4 hours a month to cover Melrose's median rent of $3,026.
Where is rent cheaper than Melrose for a firefighter?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Burlington ($3,025/mo), Bedford ($3,024/mo), Winchester ($3,023/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.