Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in West Warwick, RI?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.4% of gross income.

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

West Warwick median rent
$1,873/mo
Firefighter salary (Rhode Island)
$65,322/yr
Rent as % of income
34.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,444, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,633/mo in rent. West Warwick's median rent of $1,873 exceeds that threshold by $240/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 59.6 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 West Warwick, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Pawtucket, RI
$1,872/mo (34.4% of income)
East Providence, RI
$1,872/mo (34.4% of income)
Lincoln, RI
$1,865/mo (34.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for West Warwick

View full rent data for West Warwick, RI

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in West Warwick, RI?

Median rent in West Warwick is $1,873 a month. A typical firefighter in Rhode Island earns about $65,322 a year, which makes that rent 34.4% 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 West Warwick?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Rhode Island (~$65,322/yr) supports up to $1,633 a month in rent. West Warwick's current median rent is $1,873/mo, which is $240/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Rhode Island works roughly 59.6 hours a month to cover West Warwick's median rent of $1,873.

Where is rent cheaper than West Warwick for a firefighter?

Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Pawtucket ($1,872/mo), East Providence ($1,872/mo), Lincoln ($1,865/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 West Warwick, RI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.