Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Paso Robles, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.5% of gross income.
Paso Robles 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 Paso Robles, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Paso Robles
View full rent data for Paso Robles, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Paso Robles, CA?
Median rent in Paso Robles is $2,684 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 43.5% 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 Paso Robles?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Paso Robles's current median rent is $2,684/mo, which is $831/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Paso Robles?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 75.3 hours a month to cover Paso Robles's median rent of $2,684.
Where is rent cheaper than Paso Robles for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Azusa ($2,683/mo), Vista ($2,683/mo), Vista ($2,683/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.