Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in New Carrollton, MD?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.1% of gross income.

New Carrollton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland state estimate).

New Carrollton median rent
$1,757/mo
Firefighter salary (Maryland)
$67,835/yr
Rent as % of income
31.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,653, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,696/mo in rent. New Carrollton's median rent of $1,757 exceeds that threshold by $61/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 53.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 New Carrollton, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Lexington Park, MD
$1,756/mo (31.1% of income)
Brooklyn Park, MD
$1,755/mo (31% of income)
Beltsville, MD
$1,754/mo (31% of income)

Compare with full rent data for New Carrollton

View full rent data for New Carrollton, MD

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in New Carrollton, MD?

Median rent in New Carrollton is $1,757 a month. A typical firefighter in Maryland earns about $67,835 a year, which makes that rent 31.1% 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 Carrollton?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Maryland (~$67,835/yr) supports up to $1,696 a month in rent. New Carrollton's current median rent is $1,757/mo, which is $61/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in New Carrollton?

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Maryland works roughly 53.9 hours a month to cover New Carrollton's median rent of $1,757.

Where is rent cheaper than New Carrollton for a firefighter?

Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Lexington Park ($1,756/mo), Brooklyn Park ($1,755/mo), Beltsville ($1,754/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Maryland state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for New Carrollton, MD. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.