Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Philadelphia, PA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35% of gross income.
Philadelphia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than Philadelphia, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Philadelphia
View full rent data for Philadelphia, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
Median rent in Philadelphia is $1,814 a month. A typical firefighter in Pennsylvania earns about $62,182 a year, which makes that rent 35% 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 Philadelphia?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Pennsylvania (~$62,182/yr) supports up to $1,555 a month in rent. Philadelphia's current median rent is $1,814/mo, which is $259/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Philadelphia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a firefighter in Pennsylvania works roughly 60.7 hours a month to cover Philadelphia's median rent of $1,814.
Where is rent cheaper than Philadelphia for a firefighter?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Brookhaven ($1,813/mo), Marcus Hook ($1,813/mo), Cranberry Township ($1,813/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.