Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Isla Vista, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 185.8% of gross income.
Isla Vista rent: September 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 Isla Vista, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Isla Vista
View full rent data for Isla Vista, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Isla Vista, CA?
Median rent in Isla Vista is $9,714 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 185.8% 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 Isla Vista?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Isla Vista's current median rent is $9,714/mo, which is $8,145/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Isla Vista?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 322 hours a month to cover Isla Vista's median rent of $9,714.
Where is rent cheaper than Isla Vista for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Palos Verdes Estates ($8,898/mo), Palos Verdes Estates ($8,500/mo), Palos Verdes Estates ($8,410/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.