Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Salem, NJ?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.1% of gross income.
Salem rent: August 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Salem, NJ?
Median rent in Salem is $1,650 a month. A typical firefighter in New Jersey earns about $70,347 a year, which makes that rent 28.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New Jersey (~$70,347/yr) supports up to $1,759 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,650/mo, which leaves a $109/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in New Jersey works roughly 48.8 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,650.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a firefighter?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Plainsboro ($1,648/mo), West Deptford Township ($1,646/mo), Somerdale ($1,645/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.