Salaries in Tustin, CA

You probably don't think of Tustin when you picture California’s tech hubs, but its software developers are pulling in a median $133,177. That’s a surprising bit of competition for the bigger coastal cities, all from a town of 77,693 people.

But let’s talk real purchasing power. Tustin’s cost of living sits at 115.5—about 15% above the national average. That $133k developer salary adjusts down to a more modest $115,305 in real terms. A one-bedroom apartment runs you $2,252 a month, so even the city’s top earners aren’t exactly rolling in it. The median household income is $107,537, which feels respectable until you do the math on housing and everything else.

So who actually thrives here? Beyond the techies, Tustin is a steady ground for accountants, registered nurses, and skilled trades like electricians. The city’s 43.1% bachelor’s degree rate points to a professional workforce, and you’ll find a mix of healthcare and education employers alongside those tech roles. The unemployment rate is a relatively low 5.2%, suggesting a stable, if not booming, job market.

Here’s my honest take: wages aren’t keeping pace with the cost hikes you see across Orange County. The average salary here is $56,912, which gets knocked down to a COL-adjusted $49,274. That’s tight. Tustin works well if you’re in a high-skill field or have dual incomes, but it’s a squeeze for everyone else.

The data below will break down exactly who’s earning what, and how far those paychecks really go.