Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.2% of gross income.
Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wilkes-Barre
View full rent data for Wilkes-Barre, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Median rent in Wilkes-Barre is $1,358 a month. A typical firefighter in Pennsylvania earns about $62,182 a year, which makes that rent 26.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Wilkes-Barre?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Pennsylvania (~$62,182/yr) supports up to $1,555 a month in rent. Wilkes-Barre's current median rent is $1,358/mo, which leaves a $197/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Wilkes-Barre?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a firefighter in Pennsylvania works roughly 45.4 hours a month to cover Wilkes-Barre's median rent of $1,358.
Where is rent cheaper than Wilkes-Barre for a firefighter?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Hanover ($1,356/mo), Harrisburg ($1,355/mo), Munhall ($1,353/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.