Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Costa Mesa, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.4% of gross income.
Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Costa Mesa
View full rent data for Costa Mesa, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Costa Mesa, CA?
Median rent in Costa Mesa is $3,113 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 50.4% 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 Costa Mesa?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Costa Mesa's current median rent is $3,113/mo, which is $1,260/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Costa Mesa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 87.4 hours a month to cover Costa Mesa's median rent of $3,113.
Where is rent cheaper than Costa Mesa for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include San Jose ($3,112/mo), El Segundo ($3,112/mo), Belmont ($3,112/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.