Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Sacramento, CA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.6% of gross income.
Sacramento 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 Sacramento, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sacramento
View full rent data for Sacramento, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Sacramento, CA?
Median rent in Sacramento is $2,071 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 39.6% 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 Sacramento?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Sacramento's current median rent is $2,071/mo, which is $502/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Sacramento?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 68.6 hours a month to cover Sacramento's median rent of $2,071.
Where is rent cheaper than Sacramento for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Ukiah ($2,070/mo), Lynwood ($2,070/mo), Ukiah ($2,070/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.