Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Aliso Viejo, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 58.2% of gross income.
Aliso Viejo rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).
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 California cities have lower median rent than Aliso Viejo, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Aliso Viejo
View full rent data for Aliso Viejo, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Aliso Viejo, CA?
Median rent in Aliso Viejo is $3,594 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 58.2% 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 Aliso Viejo?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Aliso Viejo's current median rent is $3,594/mo, which is $1,741/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Aliso Viejo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 100.9 hours a month to cover Aliso Viejo's median rent of $3,594.
Where is rent cheaper than Aliso Viejo for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Foster City ($3,592/mo), La Quinta ($3,592/mo), Morgan Hill ($3,592/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.