Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Staunton, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.6% of gross income.
Staunton 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 Staunton, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Staunton
View full rent data for Staunton, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Staunton, VA?
Median rent in Staunton is $1,581 a month. A typical firefighter in Virginia earns about $64,066 a year, which makes that rent 29.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Staunton?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Virginia (~$64,066/yr) supports up to $1,602 a month in rent. Staunton's current median rent is $1,581/mo, which leaves a $21/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Staunton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a firefighter in Virginia works roughly 51.3 hours a month to cover Staunton's median rent of $1,581.
Where is rent cheaper than Staunton for a firefighter?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include East Highland Park ($1,580/mo), Farmville ($1,580/mo), Newport News ($1,579/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.