Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Fresno, CA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.4% of gross income.
Fresno 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 Fresno, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fresno
View full rent data for Fresno, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Fresno, CA?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,954 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 37.4% 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 Fresno?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Fresno's current median rent is $1,954/mo, which is $385/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Fresno?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 64.8 hours a month to cover Fresno's median rent of $1,954.
Where is rent cheaper than Fresno for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Hemet ($1,953/mo), Apple Valley ($1,953/mo), Stockton ($1,953/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.