Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Valley Park, MO?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Valley Park 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 Valley Park, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Valley Park
View full rent data for Valley Park, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Valley Park, MO?
Median rent in Valley Park is $1,468 a month. A typical firefighter in Missouri earns about $57,785 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% 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 Valley Park?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Missouri (~$57,785/yr) supports up to $1,445 a month in rent. Valley Park's current median rent is $1,468/mo, which is $23/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Valley Park?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a firefighter in Missouri works roughly 52.8 hours a month to cover Valley Park's median rent of $1,468.
Where is rent cheaper than Valley Park for a firefighter?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Florissant ($1,467/mo), Ozark ($1,467/mo), Nixa ($1,465/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.