Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in North Bend, WA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.8% of gross income.

North Bend rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

North Bend median rent
$3,269/mo
Firefighter salary (Washington)
$70,347/yr
Rent as % of income
55.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,862, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,759/mo in rent. North Bend's median rent of $3,269 exceeds that threshold by $1,510/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 96.7 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 North Bend, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Sammamish, WA
$3,185/mo (54.3% of income)
Sammamish, WA
$3,181/mo (54.3% of income)
Snoqualmie, WA
$3,173/mo (54.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for North Bend

View full rent data for North Bend, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in North Bend, WA?

Median rent in North Bend is $3,269 a month. A typical firefighter in Washington earns about $70,347 a year, which makes that rent 55.8% 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 North Bend?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Washington (~$70,347/yr) supports up to $1,759 a month in rent. North Bend's current median rent is $3,269/mo, which is $1,510/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in North Bend?

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in Washington works roughly 96.7 hours a month to cover North Bend's median rent of $3,269.

Where is rent cheaper than North Bend for a firefighter?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Sammamish ($3,185/mo), Sammamish ($3,181/mo), Snoqualmie ($3,173/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 North Bend, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.