Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Forest Grove, OR?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.9% of gross income.
Forest Grove rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon 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 Oregon cities have lower median rent than Forest Grove, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Forest Grove
View full rent data for Forest Grove, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Forest Grove, OR?
Median rent in Forest Grove is $1,738 a month. A typical firefighter in Oregon earns about $65,322 a year, which makes that rent 31.9% 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 Forest Grove?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Oregon (~$65,322/yr) supports up to $1,633 a month in rent. Forest Grove's current median rent is $1,738/mo, which is $105/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Forest Grove?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Oregon works roughly 55.3 hours a month to cover Forest Grove's median rent of $1,738.
Where is rent cheaper than Forest Grove for a firefighter?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Canby ($1,736/mo), Albany ($1,736/mo), Woodburn ($1,735/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.