Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Newport News, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.7% of gross income.
Newport News rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Newport News, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Newport News
View full rent data for Newport News, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Newport News, VA?
Median rent in Newport News is $1,587 a month. A typical firefighter in Virginia earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 29.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Newport News?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Virginia (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Newport News's current median rent is $1,587/mo, which leaves a $15/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Newport News?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Virginia works roughly 51.5 hours a month to cover Newport News's median rent of $1,587.
Where is rent cheaper than Newport News for a firefighter?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Hampton ($1,585/mo), Hampton ($1,585/mo), Hampton ($1,581/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.