Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Los Altos, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 61.2% of gross income.
Los Altos 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 Los Altos, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Los Altos
View full rent data for Los Altos, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Los Altos, CA?
Median rent in Los Altos is $7,992 a month. A typical pharmacist in California earns about $156,645 a year, which makes that rent 61.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Los Altos?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in California (~$156,645/yr) supports up to $3,916 a month in rent. Los Altos's current median rent is $7,992/mo, which is $4,076/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Los Altos?
At an hourly equivalent of about $75 an hour, a pharmacist in California works roughly 106.1 hours a month to cover Los Altos's median rent of $7,992.
Where is rent cheaper than Los Altos for a pharmacist?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Del Mar ($7,867/mo), San Marino ($7,489/mo), Monte Sereno ($7,150/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.