Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Short Hills, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 108.6% of gross income.
Short Hills 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 Short Hills, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Short Hills
View full rent data for Short Hills, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Short Hills, NJ?
Median rent in Short Hills is $6,365 a month. A typical firefighter in New Jersey earns about $70,347 a year, which makes that rent 108.6% 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 Short Hills?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New Jersey (~$70,347/yr) supports up to $1,759 a month in rent. Short Hills's current median rent is $6,365/mo, which is $4,606/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Short Hills?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in New Jersey works roughly 188.2 hours a month to cover Short Hills's median rent of $6,365.
Where is rent cheaper than Short Hills for a firefighter?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Ventnor City ($6,107/mo), Ventnor City ($5,857/mo), Ventnor City ($5,839/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.