Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Kelso, WA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.5% of gross income.
Kelso rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Kelso, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kelso
View full rent data for Kelso, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Kelso, WA?
Median rent in Kelso is $1,553 a month. A typical firefighter in Washington earns about $70,347 a year, which makes that rent 26.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Kelso?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Washington (~$70,347/yr) supports up to $1,759 a month in rent. Kelso's current median rent is $1,553/mo, which leaves a $206/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Kelso?
At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in Washington works roughly 45.9 hours a month to cover Kelso's median rent of $1,553.
Where is rent cheaper than Kelso for a firefighter?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Moses Lake ($1,552/mo), Moses Lake ($1,552/mo), Moses Lake ($1,552/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.