Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Gardena, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.2% of gross income.
Gardena 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 Gardena, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Gardena
View full rent data for Gardena, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Gardena, CA?
Median rent in Gardena is $2,363 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 45.2% 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 Gardena?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Gardena's current median rent is $2,363/mo, which is $794/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Gardena?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 78.3 hours a month to cover Gardena's median rent of $2,363.
Where is rent cheaper than Gardena for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Loma Linda ($2,362/mo), San Clemente ($2,362/mo), Rocklin ($2,362/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.