Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Costa Mesa, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 59.5% of gross income.
Costa Mesa rent: June 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 Costa Mesa, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Costa Mesa
View full rent data for Costa Mesa, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Costa Mesa, CA?
Median rent in Costa Mesa is $3,113 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 59.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Costa Mesa?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Costa Mesa's current median rent is $3,113/mo, which is $1,544/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Costa Mesa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 103.2 hours a month to cover Costa Mesa's median rent of $3,113.
Where is rent cheaper than Costa Mesa for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include San Jose ($3,112/mo), El Segundo ($3,112/mo), Belmont ($3,112/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.