Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in York, PA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.4% of gross income.

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

York median rent
$1,366/mo
Firefighter salary (Pennsylvania)
$62,182/yr
Rent as % of income
26.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,182, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,555/mo in rent. York's median rent of $1,366 leaves roughly $189/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 45.7 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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than York, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Lebanon, PA
$1,365/mo (26.3% of income)
Pottstown, PA
$1,365/mo (26.3% of income)
Boyertown, PA
$1,365/mo (26.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for York

View full rent data for York, PA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in York, PA?

Median rent in York is $1,366 a month. A typical firefighter in Pennsylvania earns about $62,182 a year, which makes that rent 26.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in York?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Pennsylvania (~$62,182/yr) supports up to $1,555 a month in rent. York's current median rent is $1,366/mo, which leaves a $189/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a firefighter in Pennsylvania works roughly 45.7 hours a month to cover York's median rent of $1,366.

Where is rent cheaper than York for a firefighter?

Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Lebanon ($1,365/mo), Pottstown ($1,365/mo), Boyertown ($1,365/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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