Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Fort Smith, AR?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.8% of gross income.
Fort Smith rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas state estimate).
About rent and a paramedic salary
Paramedic and EMT base pay sits modestly below the US median household income and is often supplemented by overtime. At the national-average paramedic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,330 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Fort Smith, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fort Smith
View full rent data for Fort Smith, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Fort Smith, AR?
Median rent in Fort Smith is $1,060 a month. A typical paramedic in Arkansas earns about $44,139 a year, which makes that rent 28.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Fort Smith?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Arkansas (~$44,139/yr) supports up to $1,103 a month in rent. Fort Smith's current median rent is $1,060/mo, which leaves a $43/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Fort Smith?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a paramedic in Arkansas works roughly 50 hours a month to cover Fort Smith's median rent of $1,060.
Where is rent cheaper than Fort Smith for a paramedic?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Bentonville ($1,059/mo), North Little Rock ($1,055/mo), Hot Springs ($1,054/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.