Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Joshua Tree, CA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.1% of gross income.
Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Joshua Tree
View full rent data for Joshua Tree, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Joshua Tree, CA?
Median rent in Joshua Tree is $2,043 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 33.1% 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 Joshua Tree?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Joshua Tree's current median rent is $2,043/mo, which is $190/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Joshua Tree?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 57.3 hours a month to cover Joshua Tree's median rent of $2,043.
Where is rent cheaper than Joshua Tree for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Lynwood ($2,042/mo), Grand Terrace ($2,042/mo), Turlock ($2,042/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.