Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Hermosa Beach, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 66.9% of gross income.
Hermosa Beach 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 Hermosa Beach, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Hermosa Beach
View full rent data for Hermosa Beach, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Hermosa Beach, CA?
Median rent in Hermosa Beach is $4,130 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 66.9% 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 Hermosa Beach?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Hermosa Beach's current median rent is $4,130/mo, which is $2,277/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Hermosa Beach?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 115.9 hours a month to cover Hermosa Beach's median rent of $4,130.
Where is rent cheaper than Hermosa Beach for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Ojai ($4,125/mo), Altadena ($4,123/mo), Carpinteria ($4,120/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.