Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in College Park, MD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.6% of gross income.
College Park 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 College Park, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for College Park
View full rent data for College Park, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in College Park, MD?
Median rent in College Park is $2,125 a month. A typical firefighter in Maryland earns about $67,835 a year, which makes that rent 37.6% 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 College Park?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Maryland (~$67,835/yr) supports up to $1,696 a month in rent. College Park's current median rent is $2,125/mo, which is $429/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in College Park?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Maryland works roughly 65.2 hours a month to cover College Park's median rent of $2,125.
Where is rent cheaper than College Park for a firefighter?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Greenbelt ($2,124/mo), Columbia ($2,124/mo), Columbia ($2,123/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.