Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Central Falls, RI?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.6% of gross income.

Central Falls rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island state estimate).

Central Falls median rent
$1,721/mo
Firefighter salary (Rhode Island)
$65,322/yr
Rent as % of income
31.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,444, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,633/mo in rent. Central Falls's median rent of $1,721 exceeds that threshold by $88/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 54.8 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Central Falls, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Johnston, RI
$1,719/mo (31.6% of income)
North Providence, RI
$1,717/mo (31.5% of income)
Woonsocket, RI
$1,684/mo (30.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Central Falls

View full rent data for Central Falls, RI

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Central Falls, RI?

Median rent in Central Falls is $1,721 a month. A typical firefighter in Rhode Island earns about $65,322 a year, which makes that rent 31.6% 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 Central Falls?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Rhode Island (~$65,322/yr) supports up to $1,633 a month in rent. Central Falls's current median rent is $1,721/mo, which is $88/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Rhode Island works roughly 54.8 hours a month to cover Central Falls's median rent of $1,721.

Where is rent cheaper than Central Falls for a firefighter?

Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Johnston ($1,719/mo), North Providence ($1,717/mo), Woonsocket ($1,684/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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