Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Chatham, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.8% of gross income.
Chatham rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey 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 New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Chatham, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chatham
View full rent data for Chatham, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Chatham, NJ?
Median rent in Chatham is $3,272 a month. A typical firefighter in New Jersey earns about $70,347 a year, which makes that rent 55.8% 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 Chatham?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New Jersey (~$70,347/yr) supports up to $1,759 a month in rent. Chatham's current median rent is $3,272/mo, which is $1,513/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Chatham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in New Jersey works roughly 96.7 hours a month to cover Chatham's median rent of $3,272.
Where is rent cheaper than Chatham for a firefighter?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Highlands ($3,267/mo), Morganville ($3,262/mo), Teaneck ($3,260/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.