There is no doubt that firefighting is a tough job. At the end of the day, firefighters want to go home to a safe, comfortable and affordable home. Here are seven cities that are the best for firefighters in terms of median salary, cost of living and quality of life.
1. West Palm Beach, Florida
The median salary for firefighters in West Palm Beach is about $41,000. Not only that, but the cost of living index is 102. With plenty of beaches, restaurants, parks and gyms, this city is the perfect haven for firefighters.
2. Seattle, Washington
This music mecca is also a great place for firefighters to take up residence. The median salary for firefighters is $59,000, which is nearly $10,000 higher than the city's average median income. The only thing keeping Seattle from the No. 1 spot is the slightly higher cost of living.
3. Portland, Oregon
Quiet, safe and hip are all words one could use to describe this bridge port city. High annual rainfall means the city is usually at a relatively low risk for fire. Another bonus is that the median salary for Portland firefighters is $49,000, a good deal higher than the city's average.
4. Austin, Texas
The south Texas city whose motto is "Keep Austin Weird" comes in fourth on our best cities for firefighters list. Austin is one of the few cities in the country to see steady job growth in almost every industry in the last decade. Firefighters who live here average $44,000 in annual salary, and the 51 index cost of living is one of the best on the list.
5. Denver, Colorado
Skiing, hiking and sports teams are just a few of the reasons people flock to this central Colorado city. Firefighters especially love this area because of the high income to low cost of living ratio. Compared to the quality of life, the cost of living in Denver is relatively low. The annual median salary for Denver firefighters is just under $50,000.
6. Kansas City, Missouri
For barbecue and blues-loving firefighters, Kansas City is the place to be. This region has remained financially stable for some time, and the cost of living is among the lowest in the country when compared to the quality of life index. Firefighters in this Midwestern metropolis earn a median annual salary of about $44,000.
7. Buffalo, New York
The cost of living is one of the best in the nation in the city where Buffalo wings were invented. Aside from an excellent food scene, Buffalo is home to a historic waterfront district and is in close proximity to beautiful Niagara Falls. Firefighters who live in Buffalo make about $46,000 per year. An added bonus is that the commute time in Buffalo is one of the shortest in the country.
Long hours and dangerous work are all part of being a firefighter, but just because the job is stressful does not mean life outside the station has to be, too. The cities above offer the best pay, lowest cost of living and best quality of life in the country for firefighters.