Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Fairhaven?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Fairhaven, you need to earn at least $73,800/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $76,583, which means the typical resident is $2,783 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 341

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,292	$4,307	$51,680	$-24,903
1 Bedroom	$1,531	$5,103	$61,240	$-15,343
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,845	$6,150	$73,800	$-2,783
3 Bedroom	$2,251	$7,503	$90,040	+$13,457
4 Bedroom	$2,768	$9,227	$110,720	+$34,137

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$76,583

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$73,800

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$2,783

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.9%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Fairhaven's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,915

Studio

$1,292/mo

1 BR

$1,531/mo

2 BR

$1,845/mo

3 BR

$2,251/mo

4 BR

$2,768/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Fairhaven

Fairhaven is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $2,783. 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 ($1,531/month) or studio ($1,292/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Fairhaven pushes the required income to $90,040.

For comfortable living in Fairhaven without financial stress, target a household income of at least $110,700 — 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 Fairhaven, California.

With a total population of 341, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 210 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $73,800 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

210

Active civilian employees in Fairhaven

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Fairhaven

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Fairhaven under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $73,800. The median household income in Fairhaven is $76,583.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Fairhaven on $76,583?

The affordability verdict for Fairhaven is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.9%, meaning median earners have a $2,783 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Fairhaven is $1,531/month. With a median household income of $76,583, residents spend approximately 28.9% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Fairhaven?

A studio in Fairhaven rents for approximately $1,292/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $51,680 to afford this.

Is Fairhaven considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $2,783 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Fairhaven is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $73,800 to the local median household income.

How Fairhaven Compares

Other cities in California with salary requirements