Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Watford City, ND?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26% of gross income.
Watford City 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 Watford City, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Watford City
View full rent data for Watford City, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Watford City, ND?
Median rent in Watford City is $1,322 a month. A typical firefighter in North Dakota earns about $60,926 a year, which makes that rent 26% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Watford City?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in North Dakota (~$60,926/yr) supports up to $1,523 a month in rent. Watford City's current median rent is $1,322/mo, which leaves a $201/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Watford City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a firefighter in North Dakota works roughly 45.1 hours a month to cover Watford City's median rent of $1,322.
Where is rent cheaper than Watford City for a firefighter?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Mandan ($1,321/mo), Bismarck ($1,318/mo), Bismarck ($1,316/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.