Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Galveston, TX?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.2% of gross income.

Galveston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

Galveston median rent
$1,356/mo
Firefighter salary (Texas)
$62,182/yr
Rent as % of income
26.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,182, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,555/mo in rent. Galveston's median rent of $1,356 leaves roughly $199/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 45.4 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Galveston, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Waller, TX
$1,355/mo (26.1% of income)
Greenville, TX
$1,355/mo (26.1% of income)
Selma, TX
$1,355/mo (26.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Galveston

View full rent data for Galveston, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Galveston, TX?

Median rent in Galveston is $1,356 a month. A typical firefighter in Texas 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 Galveston?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Texas (~$62,182/yr) supports up to $1,555 a month in rent. Galveston's current median rent is $1,356/mo, which leaves a $199/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a firefighter in Texas works roughly 45.4 hours a month to cover Galveston's median rent of $1,356.

Where is rent cheaper than Galveston for a firefighter?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Waller ($1,355/mo), Greenville ($1,355/mo), Selma ($1,355/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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