Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Laurel, MT?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.9% of gross income.
Laurel rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Laurel, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Laurel
View full rent data for Laurel, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Laurel, MT?
Median rent in Laurel is $1,286 a month. A typical firefighter in Montana earns about $55,273 a year, which makes that rent 27.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Laurel?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Montana (~$55,273/yr) supports up to $1,382 a month in rent. Laurel's current median rent is $1,286/mo, which leaves a $96/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Laurel?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in Montana works roughly 48.4 hours a month to cover Laurel's median rent of $1,286.
Where is rent cheaper than Laurel for a firefighter?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Butte ($1,277/mo), Butte ($1,255/mo), Butte ($1,243/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.