Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in New Bedford, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.6% of gross income.
New Bedford 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 New Bedford, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for New Bedford
View full rent data for New Bedford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in New Bedford, MA?
Median rent in New Bedford is $1,916 a month. A typical firefighter in Massachusetts earns about $72,860 a year, which makes that rent 31.6% 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 New Bedford?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Massachusetts (~$72,860/yr) supports up to $1,822 a month in rent. New Bedford's current median rent is $1,916/mo, which is $94/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in New Bedford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a firefighter in Massachusetts works roughly 54.7 hours a month to cover New Bedford's median rent of $1,916.
Where is rent cheaper than New Bedford for a firefighter?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Westfield ($1,910/mo), Leominster ($1,908/mo), Boxboro ($1,906/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.