Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Riverside, MO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.6% of gross income.
Riverside rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri 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 Missouri cities have lower median rent than Riverside, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Riverside
View full rent data for Riverside, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Riverside, MO?
Median rent in Riverside is $2,051 a month. A typical firefighter in Missouri earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 42.6% 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 Riverside?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Missouri (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Riverside's current median rent is $2,051/mo, which is $606/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Riverside?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Missouri works roughly 73.8 hours a month to cover Riverside's median rent of $2,051.
Where is rent cheaper than Riverside for a firefighter?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Chesterfield ($2,022/mo), Grain Valley ($1,991/mo), Grain Valley ($1,990/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.