Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in East Syracuse, NY?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.3% of gross income.

East Syracuse rent: May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New York state estimate).

East Syracuse median rent
$1,925/mo
Firefighter salary (New York)
$71,603/yr
Rent as % of income
32.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,967, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,790/mo in rent. East Syracuse's median rent of $1,925 exceeds that threshold by $135/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 55.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 York cities have lower median rent than East Syracuse, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Ithaca, NY
$1,924/mo (32.2% of income)
Catskill, NY
$1,917/mo (32.1% of income)
Williamsville, NY
$1,917/mo (32.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for East Syracuse

View full rent data for East Syracuse, NY

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in East Syracuse, NY?

Median rent in East Syracuse is $1,925 a month. A typical firefighter in New York earns about $71,603 a year, which makes that rent 32.3% 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 East Syracuse?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New York (~$71,603/yr) supports up to $1,790 a month in rent. East Syracuse's current median rent is $1,925/mo, which is $135/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in East Syracuse?

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in New York works roughly 55.9 hours a month to cover East Syracuse's median rent of $1,925.

Where is rent cheaper than East Syracuse for a firefighter?

Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Ithaca ($1,924/mo), Catskill ($1,917/mo), Williamsville ($1,917/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived New York state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for East Syracuse, NY. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.