Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Metzger, OR?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.7% of gross income.

Metzger rent: May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon state estimate).

Metzger median rent
$1,452/mo
Firefighter salary (Oregon)
$65,322/yr
Rent as % of income
26.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,444, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,633/mo in rent. Metzger's median rent of $1,452 leaves roughly $181/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 46.2 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 Oregon cities have lower median rent than Metzger, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Roseburg, OR
$1,448/mo (26.6% of income)
Astoria, OR
$1,447/mo (26.6% of income)
Roseburg, OR
$1,447/mo (26.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Metzger

View full rent data for Metzger, OR

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Metzger, OR?

Median rent in Metzger is $1,452 a month. A typical firefighter in Oregon earns about $65,322 a year, which makes that rent 26.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Metzger?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Oregon (~$65,322/yr) supports up to $1,633 a month in rent. Metzger's current median rent is $1,452/mo, which leaves a $181/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Oregon works roughly 46.2 hours a month to cover Metzger's median rent of $1,452.

Where is rent cheaper than Metzger for a firefighter?

Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Roseburg ($1,448/mo), Astoria ($1,447/mo), Roseburg ($1,447/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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