Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Los Angeles, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.9% of gross income.
Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Los Angeles
View full rent data for Los Angeles, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
Median rent in Los Angeles is $2,773 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 44.9% 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 Los Angeles?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Los Angeles's current median rent is $2,773/mo, which is $920/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Los Angeles?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 77.8 hours a month to cover Los Angeles's median rent of $2,773.
Where is rent cheaper than Los Angeles for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Sunnyvale ($2,772/mo), Imperial Beach ($2,772/mo), Rancho Cucamonga ($2,772/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.