Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Dundalk, MD?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.6% of gross income.
Dundalk 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 Dundalk, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Dundalk
View full rent data for Dundalk, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Dundalk, MD?
Median rent in Dundalk is $1,614 a month. A typical firefighter in Maryland earns about $67,835 a year, which makes that rent 28.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Dundalk?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Maryland (~$67,835/yr) supports up to $1,696 a month in rent. Dundalk's current median rent is $1,614/mo, which leaves a $82/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Dundalk?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Maryland works roughly 49.5 hours a month to cover Dundalk's median rent of $1,614.
Where is rent cheaper than Dundalk for a firefighter?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Parkville ($1,613/mo), Fort Washington ($1,612/mo), Laurel ($1,610/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.