Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Running Springs, CA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.8% of gross income.

Running Springs rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).

Running Springs median rent
$2,275/mo
Firefighter salary (California)
$74,116/yr
Rent as % of income
36.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,176, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,853/mo in rent. Running Springs's median rent of $2,275 exceeds that threshold by $422/mo, putting a firefighter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A firefighter works roughly 63.8 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Running Springs, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:

Highland, CA
$2,274/mo (36.8% of income)
Los Banos, CA
$2,274/mo (36.8% of income)
Long Beach, CA
$2,274/mo (36.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Running Springs

View full rent data for Running Springs, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a firefighter afford rent in Running Springs, CA?

Median rent in Running Springs is $2,275 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 36.8% 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 Running Springs?

Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Running Springs's current median rent is $2,275/mo, which is $422/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Running Springs?

At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 63.8 hours a month to cover Running Springs's median rent of $2,275.

Where is rent cheaper than Running Springs for a firefighter?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Highland ($2,274/mo), Los Banos ($2,274/mo), Long Beach ($2,274/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived California state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Running Springs, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.