Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Santa Barbara, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 69.6% of gross income.
Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Barbara
View full rent data for Santa Barbara, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Santa Barbara, CA?
Median rent in Santa Barbara is $3,642 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 69.6% 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 Santa Barbara?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Santa Barbara's current median rent is $3,642/mo, which is $2,073/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Santa Barbara?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 120.7 hours a month to cover Santa Barbara's median rent of $3,642.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Barbara for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Redwood City ($3,641/mo), Hermosa Beach ($3,640/mo), Eastvale ($3,640/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.