Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in West Richland, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.9% of gross income.

West Richland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

West Richland median rent
$2,104/mo
Firefighter salary (Washington)
$70,347/yr
Rent as % of income
35.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,862, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,759/mo in rent. West Richland's median rent of $2,104 exceeds that threshold by $345/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 62.2 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 West Richland, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Enumclaw, WA
$2,103/mo (35.9% of income)
Mountlake Terrace, WA
$2,103/mo (35.9% of income)
Mountlake Terrace, WA
$2,102/mo (35.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for West Richland

View full rent data for West Richland, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in West Richland, WA?

Median rent in West Richland is $2,104 a month. A typical firefighter in Washington earns about $70,347 a year, which makes that rent 35.9% 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 West Richland?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Washington (~$70,347/yr) supports up to $1,759 a month in rent. West Richland's current median rent is $2,104/mo, which is $345/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in West Richland?

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a firefighter in Washington works roughly 62.2 hours a month to cover West Richland's median rent of $2,104.

Where is rent cheaper than West Richland for a firefighter?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Enumclaw ($2,103/mo), Mountlake Terrace ($2,103/mo), Mountlake Terrace ($2,102/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 West Richland, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.