Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Costa Mesa, CA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.8% of gross income.
Costa Mesa rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These California cities have lower median rent than Costa Mesa, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Costa Mesa
View full rent data for Costa Mesa, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Costa Mesa, CA?
Median rent in Costa Mesa is $3,113 a month. A typical pharmacist in California earns about $156,645 a year, which makes that rent 23.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Costa Mesa?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in California (~$156,645/yr) supports up to $3,916 a month in rent. Costa Mesa's current median rent is $3,113/mo, which leaves a $803/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Costa Mesa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $75 an hour, a pharmacist in California works roughly 41.3 hours a month to cover Costa Mesa's median rent of $3,113.
Where is rent cheaper than Costa Mesa for a pharmacist?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include San Jose ($3,112/mo), El Segundo ($3,112/mo), Belmont ($3,112/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.