Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Spokane Valley, WA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.4% of gross income.

Spokane Valley rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Spokane Valley median rent
$1,549/mo
Firefighter salary (Washington)
$70,347/yr
Rent as % of income
26.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,862, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,759/mo in rent. Spokane Valley's median rent of $1,549 leaves roughly $210/mo of headroom under that threshold. A firefighter works roughly 45.8 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 Spokane Valley, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Moses Lake, WA
$1,546/mo (26.4% of income)
Ellensburg, WA
$1,546/mo (26.4% of income)
Ellensburg, WA
$1,545/mo (26.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Spokane Valley

View full rent data for Spokane Valley, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Spokane Valley, WA?

Median rent in Spokane Valley is $1,549 a month. A typical firefighter in Washington earns about $70,347 a year, which makes that rent 26.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a firefighter afford in Spokane Valley?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Washington (~$70,347/yr) supports up to $1,759 a month in rent. Spokane Valley's current median rent is $1,549/mo, which leaves a $210/mo buffer.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Spokane Valley?

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in Washington works roughly 45.8 hours a month to cover Spokane Valley's median rent of $1,549.

Where is rent cheaper than Spokane Valley for a firefighter?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Moses Lake ($1,546/mo), Ellensburg ($1,546/mo), Ellensburg ($1,545/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 Spokane Valley, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.