Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Wawona?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Wawona, you need to earn at least $54,200/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $64,896, which means the typical resident is $10,696 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 122

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$948	$3,160	$37,920	$-26,976
1 Bedroom	$1,125	$3,750	$45,000	$-19,896
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,355	$4,517	$54,200	$-10,696
3 Bedroom	$1,653	$5,510	$66,120	+$1,224
4 Bedroom	$2,033	$6,777	$81,320	+$16,424

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$64,896

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$54,200

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$10,696

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 25.1%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Wawona's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,622

Studio

$948/mo

1 BR

$1,125/mo

2 BR

$1,355/mo

3 BR

$1,653/mo

4 BR

$2,033/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Wawona

Renting in Wawona, California is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $54,200/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $64,896, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,125/month) or studio ($948/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Wawona pushes the required income to $66,120.

For comfortable living in Wawona without financial stress, target a household income of at least $81,300 — 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 Wawona, California.

With a total population of 122, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 83 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $54,200 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

Active civilian employees in Wawona

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Wawona

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Wawona under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $54,200. The median household income in Wawona is $64,896.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Wawona on $64,896?

The affordability verdict for Wawona is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 25.1%, meaning median earners have a $10,696 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Wawona is $1,125/month. With a median household income of $64,896, residents spend approximately 25.1% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Wawona?

A studio in Wawona rents for approximately $948/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $37,920 to afford this.

Is Wawona considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $10,696 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Wawona is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $54,200 to the local median household income.

How Wawona Compares

Other cities in California with salary requirements