Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Bristol, RI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.1% of gross income.
Bristol rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Bristol, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bristol
View full rent data for Bristol, RI →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Bristol, RI?
Median rent in Bristol is $2,181 a month. A typical firefighter in Rhode Island earns about $65,322 a year, which makes that rent 40.1% 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 Bristol?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Rhode Island (~$65,322/yr) supports up to $1,633 a month in rent. Bristol's current median rent is $2,181/mo, which is $548/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Bristol?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Rhode Island works roughly 69.4 hours a month to cover Bristol's median rent of $2,181.
Where is rent cheaper than Bristol for a firefighter?
Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include East Greenwich ($2,178/mo), Cumberland ($2,174/mo), East Greenwich ($2,173/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.