Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Murphys?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Murphys, you need to earn at least $71,920/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $51,989, which means the typical resident is $19,931 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 2,022

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,259	$4,197	$50,360	$-1,629
1 Bedroom	$1,492	$4,973	$59,680	+$7,691
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,798	$5,993	$71,920	+$19,931
3 Bedroom	$2,194	$7,313	$87,760	+$35,771
4 Bedroom	$2,697	$8,990	$107,880	+$55,891

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$51,989

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$71,920

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$19,931

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 41.5%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Murphys's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,300

Studio

$1,259/mo

1 BR

$1,492/mo

2 BR

$1,798/mo

3 BR

$2,194/mo

4 BR

$2,697/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Murphys

Renting in Murphys is unaffordable for most median earners. The $19,931 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $1,798/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Murphys, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $1,259/month, which requires $50,360/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$899/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable California city.

To live comfortably in Murphys without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $107,880 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for California's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

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 Murphys, California.

With a total population of 2,022, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 739 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $71,920 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

739

Active civilian employees in Murphys

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Murphys

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Murphys under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $71,920. The median household income in Murphys is $51,989.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Murphys on $51,989?

The affordability verdict for Murphys is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 41.5%, meaning there's a $19,931 income gap.

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

The median gross rent in Murphys is $1,492/month. With a median household income of $51,989, residents spend approximately 41.5% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Murphys?

A studio in Murphys rents for approximately $1,259/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $50,360 to afford this.

Is Murphys considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $19,931 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Murphys is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $71,920 to the local median household income.

How Murphys Compares

Other cities in California with salary requirements