Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Westwood, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.6% of gross income.
Westwood 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 Westwood, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Westwood
View full rent data for Westwood, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Westwood, MA?
Median rent in Westwood is $3,130 a month. A typical firefighter in Massachusetts earns about $72,860 a year, which makes that rent 51.6% 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 Westwood?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Massachusetts (~$72,860/yr) supports up to $1,822 a month in rent. Westwood's current median rent is $3,130/mo, which is $1,308/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Westwood?
At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a firefighter in Massachusetts works roughly 89.4 hours a month to cover Westwood's median rent of $3,130.
Where is rent cheaper than Westwood for a firefighter?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Wellesley ($3,129/mo), Reading ($3,128/mo), Somerville ($3,127/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.