Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Upper Marlboro, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.4% of gross income.
Upper Marlboro 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 Upper Marlboro, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Upper Marlboro
View full rent data for Upper Marlboro, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Upper Marlboro, MD?
Median rent in Upper Marlboro is $2,338 a month. A typical firefighter in Maryland earns about $67,835 a year, which makes that rent 41.4% 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 Upper Marlboro?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Maryland (~$67,835/yr) supports up to $1,696 a month in rent. Upper Marlboro's current median rent is $2,338/mo, which is $642/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Upper Marlboro?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a firefighter in Maryland works roughly 71.7 hours a month to cover Upper Marlboro's median rent of $2,338.
Where is rent cheaper than Upper Marlboro for a firefighter?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Waldorf ($2,336/mo), Lutherville Timonium ($2,336/mo), College Park ($2,334/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.