Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Claremont, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.2% of gross income.
Claremont 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 Claremont, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Claremont
View full rent data for Claremont, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Claremont, CA?
Median rent in Claremont is $3,224 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 52.2% 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 Claremont?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Claremont's current median rent is $3,224/mo, which is $1,371/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Claremont?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 90.5 hours a month to cover Claremont's median rent of $3,224.
Where is rent cheaper than Claremont for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Poway ($3,223/mo), Ladera Ranch ($3,222/mo), Gilroy ($3,222/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.