Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Highland Springs, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.5% of gross income.

Highland Springs rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Highland Springs median rent
$1,683/mo
Firefighter salary (Virginia)
$64,066/yr
Rent as % of income
31.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,339, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,602/mo in rent. Highland Springs's median rent of $1,683 exceeds that threshold by $81/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 54.6 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Highland Springs, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

East Highland Park, VA
$1,680/mo (31.5% of income)
Norfolk, VA
$1,679/mo (31.4% of income)
Henrico, VA
$1,678/mo (31.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Highland Springs

View full rent data for Highland Springs, VA →

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Highland Springs, VA?

Median rent in Highland Springs is $1,683 a month. A typical firefighter in Virginia earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 31.5% 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 Highland Springs?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Virginia (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Highland Springs's current median rent is $1,683/mo, which is $81/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Virginia works roughly 54.6 hours a month to cover Highland Springs's median rent of $1,683.

Where is rent cheaper than Highland Springs for a firefighter?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include East Highland Park ($1,680/mo), Norfolk ($1,679/mo), Henrico ($1,678/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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