Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Sonoma, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.6% of gross income.
Sonoma 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 Sonoma, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sonoma
View full rent data for Sonoma, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Sonoma, CA?
Median rent in Sonoma is $3,128 a month. A typical firefighter in California earns about $74,116 a year, which makes that rent 50.6% 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 Sonoma?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in California (~$74,116/yr) supports up to $1,853 a month in rent. Sonoma's current median rent is $3,128/mo, which is $1,275/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Sonoma?
At an hourly equivalent of about $36 an hour, a firefighter in California works roughly 87.8 hours a month to cover Sonoma's median rent of $3,128.
Where is rent cheaper than Sonoma for a firefighter?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Orange ($3,127/mo), Laguna Niguel ($3,127/mo), Sierra Madre ($3,127/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.