Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Bethesda, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.6% of gross income.
Bethesda rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland 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 Maryland cities have lower median rent than Bethesda, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bethesda
View full rent data for Bethesda, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Bethesda, MD?
Median rent in Bethesda is $2,971 a month. A typical firefighter in Maryland earns about $67,835 a year, which makes that rent 52.6% 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 Bethesda?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Maryland (~$67,835/yr) supports up to $1,696 a month in rent. Bethesda's current median rent is $2,971/mo, which is $1,275/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Bethesda?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Maryland works roughly 91.1 hours a month to cover Bethesda's median rent of $2,971.
Where is rent cheaper than Bethesda for a firefighter?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include North Potomac ($2,960/mo), Olney ($2,909/mo), Berlin ($2,901/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.