Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Fargo, ND?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.4% of gross income.
Fargo rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota 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 North Dakota cities have lower median rent than Fargo, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fargo
View full rent data for Fargo, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Fargo, ND?
Median rent in Fargo is $1,088 a month. A typical firefighter in North Dakota earns about $60,926 a year, which makes that rent 21.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Fargo?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in North Dakota (~$60,926/yr) supports up to $1,523 a month in rent. Fargo's current median rent is $1,088/mo, which leaves a $435/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Fargo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in North Dakota works roughly 37.1 hours a month to cover Fargo's median rent of $1,088.
Where is rent cheaper than Fargo for a firefighter?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Minot ($1,086/mo), Mandan ($1,074/mo), Mandan ($1,060/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.