Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in El Cerrito, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.1% of gross income.
El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for El Cerrito
View full rent data for El Cerrito, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in El Cerrito, CA?
Median rent in El Cerrito is $2,777 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 53.1% 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 El Cerrito?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. El Cerrito's current median rent is $2,777/mo, which is $1,208/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in El Cerrito?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 92 hours a month to cover El Cerrito's median rent of $2,777.
Where is rent cheaper than El Cerrito for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Perris ($2,776/mo), Petaluma ($2,776/mo), South Pasadena ($2,776/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.