Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Oneonta, NY?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26% of gross income.

Oneonta rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New York state estimate).

Oneonta median rent
$1,554/mo
Firefighter salary (New York)
$71,603/yr
Rent as % of income
26%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,967, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,790/mo in rent. Oneonta's median rent of $1,554 leaves roughly $236/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 45.1 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 Oneonta, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Watervliet, NY
$1,553/mo (26% of income)
Brockport, NY
$1,553/mo (26% of income)
Clarence, NY
$1,550/mo (26% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Oneonta

View full rent data for Oneonta, NY

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Oneonta, NY?

Median rent in Oneonta is $1,554 a month. A typical firefighter in New York earns about $71,603 a year, which makes that rent 26% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Oneonta?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New York (~$71,603/yr) supports up to $1,790 a month in rent. Oneonta's current median rent is $1,554/mo, which leaves a $236/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in New York works roughly 45.1 hours a month to cover Oneonta's median rent of $1,554.

Where is rent cheaper than Oneonta for a firefighter?

Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Watervliet ($1,553/mo), Brockport ($1,553/mo), Clarence ($1,550/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 Oneonta, NY. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.