Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Ojai, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 60% of gross income.
Ojai 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 Ojai, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ojai
View full rent data for Ojai, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Ojai, CA?
Median rent in Ojai is $3,706 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 60% 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 Ojai?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Ojai's current median rent is $3,706/mo, which is $1,853/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Ojai?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 104 hours a month to cover Ojai's median rent of $3,706.
Where is rent cheaper than Ojai for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Los Gatos ($3,705/mo), Foster City ($3,704/mo), San Carlos ($3,704/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.