Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Los Angeles, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53% of gross income.
Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Los Angeles
View full rent data for Los Angeles, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
Median rent in Los Angeles is $2,773 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 53% 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 Los Angeles?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Los Angeles's current median rent is $2,773/mo, which is $1,204/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Los Angeles?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 91.9 hours a month to cover Los Angeles's median rent of $2,773.
Where is rent cheaper than Los Angeles for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Sunnyvale ($2,772/mo), Imperial Beach ($2,772/mo), Rancho Cucamonga ($2,772/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.