Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Pasadena, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.6% of gross income.
Pasadena 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 Pasadena, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Pasadena
View full rent data for Pasadena, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Pasadena, CA?
Median rent in Pasadena is $2,939 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 47.6% 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 Pasadena?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Pasadena's current median rent is $2,939/mo, which is $1,086/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Pasadena?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 82.5 hours a month to cover Pasadena's median rent of $2,939.
Where is rent cheaper than Pasadena for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Fremont ($2,938/mo), Sonoma ($2,938/mo), Glendora ($2,938/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.