Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Firefighter's pay go, state by state?
A Firefighter's pay leaves the most room in Washington — about $5,735/mo take-home against $1,641/mo typical rent — and the least in Louisiana.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $5,735/mo | $1,641/mo | 29% |
| Illinois | $5,225/mo | $1,246/mo | 24% |
| New Jersey | $5,546/mo | $1,656/mo | 30% |
| New York | $5,349/mo | $1,621/mo | 30% |
| Pennsylvania | $4,718/mo | $1,176/mo | 25% |
| Connecticut | $4,971/mo | $1,483/mo | 30% |
| Nebraska | $4,488/mo | $1,017/mo | 23% |
| California | $5,221/mo | $1,969/mo | 38% |
| Oregon | $4,604/mo | $1,431/mo | 31% |
| Colorado | $4,740/mo | $1,659/mo | 35% |
| Rhode Island | $4,263/mo | $1,289/mo | 30% |
| Montana | $3,962/mo | $1,031/mo | 26% |
| Massachusetts | $4,568/mo | $1,716/mo | 38% |
| Indiana | $3,830/mo | $1,022/mo | 27% |
| Nevada | $4,134/mo | $1,478/mo | 36% |
| Ohio | $3,578/mo | $986/mo | 28% |
| Texas | $3,892/mo | $1,328/mo | 34% |
| Maryland | $4,231/mo | $1,683/mo | 40% |
| Oklahoma | $3,494/mo | $970/mo | 28% |
| Alaska | $3,788/mo | $1,361/mo | 36% |
| South Dakota | $3,336/mo | $910/mo | 27% |
| Wyoming | $3,396/mo | $979/mo | 29% |
| North Dakota | $3,279/mo | $911/mo | 28% |
| Iowa | $3,280/mo | $932/mo | 28% |
| Michigan | $3,328/mo | $1,072/mo | 32% |
| Florida | $3,575/mo | $1,542/mo | 43% |
| Arizona | $3,405/mo | $1,419/mo | 42% |
| Virginia | $3,521/mo | $1,547/mo | 44% |
| Maine | $3,049/mo | $1,104/mo | 36% |
| Missouri | $2,928/mo | $997/mo | 34% |
| Vermont | $3,137/mo | $1,207/mo | 38% |
| New Hampshire | $3,346/mo | $1,424/mo | 43% |
| Idaho | $3,071/mo | $1,163/mo | 38% |
| Wisconsin | $2,906/mo | $1,033/mo | 36% |
| South Carolina | $2,960/mo | $1,131/mo | 38% |
| West Virginia | $2,607/mo | $848/mo | 33% |
| Kansas | $2,754/mo | $1,025/mo | 37% |
| Alabama | $2,684/mo | $967/mo | 36% |
| Arkansas | $2,596/mo | $903/mo | 35% |
| New Mexico | $2,716/mo | $1,034/mo | 38% |
| Tennessee | $2,744/mo | $1,111/mo | 40% |
| Utah | $3,002/mo | $1,396/mo | 47% |
| Delaware | $2,793/mo | $1,321/mo | 47% |
| Georgia | $2,792/mo | $1,320/mo | 47% |
| Mississippi | $2,348/mo | $933/mo | 40% |
| Kentucky | $2,238/mo | $918/mo | 41% |
| Minnesota | $2,519/mo | $1,230/mo | 49% |
| North Carolina | $2,317/mo | $1,147/mo | 50% |
| Louisiana | $2,000/mo | $1,028/mo | 51% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.