Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in New York, NY?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 69.3% of gross income.
New York rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New York 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 York cities have lower median rent than New York, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for New York
View full rent data for New York, NY →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in New York, NY?
Median rent in New York is $4,133 a month. A typical firefighter in New York earns about $71,603 a year, which makes that rent 69.3% 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 New York?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New York (~$71,603/yr) supports up to $1,790 a month in rent. New York's current median rent is $4,133/mo, which is $2,343/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in New York?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in New York works roughly 120.1 hours a month to cover New York's median rent of $4,133.
Where is rent cheaper than New York for a firefighter?
Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Port Washington ($4,117/mo), New Hyde Park ($4,111/mo), Port Washington ($4,100/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.