Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in San Francisco, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 84.2% of gross income.
San Francisco 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 San Francisco, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for San Francisco
View full rent data for San Francisco, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
Median rent in San Francisco is $4,401 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 84.2% 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 San Francisco?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. San Francisco's current median rent is $4,401/mo, which is $2,832/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in San Francisco?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 145.9 hours a month to cover San Francisco's median rent of $4,401.
Where is rent cheaper than San Francisco for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Beverly Hills ($4,400/mo), Carmel-by-the-Sea ($4,400/mo), Menlo Park ($4,400/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.