Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Duarte?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Duarte, you need to earn at least $90,400/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $93,908, which means the typical resident is $3,508 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 21,686

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,582	$5,273	$63,280	$-30,628
1 Bedroom	$1,876	$6,253	$75,040	$-18,868
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$2,260	$7,533	$90,400	$-3,508
3 Bedroom	$2,757	$9,190	$110,280	+$16,372
4 Bedroom	$3,390	$11,300	$135,600	+$41,692

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Duarte's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$93,908

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$90,400

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$3,508

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.9%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Duarte

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Duarte's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$2,348

Studio

$1,582/mo

1 BR

$1,876/mo

2 BR

$2,260/mo

3 BR

$2,757/mo

4 BR

$3,390/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Duarte.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Duarte's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Duarte

Duarte is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $3,508. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,876/month) or studio ($1,582/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Duarte pushes the required income to $110,280.

For comfortable living in Duarte without financial stress, target a household income of at least $135,600 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for California's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Duarte, California.

With a total population of 21,686, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 10,594 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $90,400 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

10,594

Active civilian employees in Duarte

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Duarte

What salary do I need to live in Duarte, California?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Duarte under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $90,400. The median household income in Duarte is $93,908.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Duarte on $93,908?

The affordability verdict for Duarte is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.9%, meaning median earners have a $3,508 surplus.

What is the average rent in Duarte compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Duarte is $1,876/month. With a median household income of $93,908, residents spend approximately 28.9% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Duarte?

A studio in Duarte rents for approximately $1,582/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $63,280 to afford this.

Is Duarte considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $3,508 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Duarte is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $90,400 to the local median household income.

How Duarte Compares

Other cities in California with salary requirements