Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Natick, MA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.5% of gross income.

Natick rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).

Natick median rent
$2,765/mo
Firefighter salary (Massachusetts)
$72,860/yr
Rent as % of income
45.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,072, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,822/mo in rent. Natick's median rent of $2,765 exceeds that threshold by $943/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 78.9 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Natick, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Somerville, MA
$2,764/mo (45.5% of income)
Revere, MA
$2,764/mo (45.5% of income)
Arlington, MA
$2,764/mo (45.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Natick

View full rent data for Natick, MA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Natick, MA?

Median rent in Natick is $2,765 a month. A typical firefighter in Massachusetts earns about $72,860 a year, which makes that rent 45.5% 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 Natick?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Massachusetts (~$72,860/yr) supports up to $1,822 a month in rent. Natick's current median rent is $2,765/mo, which is $943/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a firefighter in Massachusetts works roughly 78.9 hours a month to cover Natick's median rent of $2,765.

Where is rent cheaper than Natick for a firefighter?

Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Somerville ($2,764/mo), Revere ($2,764/mo), Arlington ($2,764/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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