Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Imperial Beach, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 56.2% of gross income.
Imperial Beach rent: July 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 Imperial Beach, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Imperial Beach
View full rent data for Imperial Beach, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Imperial Beach, CA?
Median rent in Imperial Beach is $2,938 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 56.2% 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 Imperial Beach?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Imperial Beach's current median rent is $2,938/mo, which is $1,369/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Imperial Beach?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 97.4 hours a month to cover Imperial Beach's median rent of $2,938.
Where is rent cheaper than Imperial Beach for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Stevenson Ranch ($2,937/mo), Beaumont ($2,937/mo), Livermore ($2,937/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.