Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Chico, CA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.9% of gross income.
Chico rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California 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 California cities have lower median rent than Chico, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chico
View full rent data for Chico, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Chico, CA?
Median rent in Chico is $1,561 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 29.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Chico?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Chico's current median rent is $1,561/mo, which leaves a $8/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Chico?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 51.7 hours a month to cover Chico's median rent of $1,561.
Where is rent cheaper than Chico for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Redding ($1,559/mo), Eureka ($1,558/mo), Spring Valley ($1,558/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.