Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Downey, CA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18% of gross income.
Downey rent: July 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 Downey, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Downey
View full rent data for Downey, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Downey, CA?
Median rent in Downey is $2,346 a month. A typical pharmacist in California earns about $156,645 a year, which makes that rent 18% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Downey?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in California (~$156,645/yr) supports up to $3,916 a month in rent. Downey's current median rent is $2,346/mo, which leaves a $1,570/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Downey?
At an hourly equivalent of about $75 an hour, a pharmacist in California works roughly 31.2 hours a month to cover Downey's median rent of $2,346.
Where is rent cheaper than Downey for a pharmacist?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Oakdale ($2,345/mo), Upland ($2,345/mo), Upland ($2,344/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.