Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Lake Forest Park, WA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.9% of gross income.

Lake Forest Park rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Lake Forest Park median rent
$2,573/mo
Firefighter salary (Washington)
$70,347/yr
Rent as % of income
43.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,862, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,759/mo in rent. Lake Forest Park's median rent of $2,573 exceeds that threshold by $814/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 76.1 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Lake Forest Park, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Snohomish, WA
$2,571/mo (43.9% of income)
Dupont, WA
$2,564/mo (43.7% of income)
Dupont, WA
$2,559/mo (43.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lake Forest Park

View full rent data for Lake Forest Park, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Lake Forest Park, WA?

Median rent in Lake Forest Park is $2,573 a month. A typical firefighter in Washington earns about $70,347 a year, which makes that rent 43.9% 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 Lake Forest Park?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Washington (~$70,347/yr) supports up to $1,759 a month in rent. Lake Forest Park's current median rent is $2,573/mo, which is $814/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Lake Forest Park?

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in Washington works roughly 76.1 hours a month to cover Lake Forest Park's median rent of $2,573.

Where is rent cheaper than Lake Forest Park for a firefighter?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Snohomish ($2,571/mo), Dupont ($2,564/mo), Dupont ($2,559/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

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