Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Palm Springs, CA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.
Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Palm Springs
View full rent data for Palm Springs, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Palm Springs, CA?
Median rent in Palm Springs is $2,201 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Palm Springs?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Palm Springs's current median rent is $2,201/mo, which is $348/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Palm Springs?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 61.8 hours a month to cover Palm Springs's median rent of $2,201.
Where is rent cheaper than Palm Springs for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Imperial ($2,200/mo), Victorville ($2,200/mo), West Sacramento ($2,199/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.