Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Sierra Madre, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.5% of gross income.
Sierra Madre 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 Sierra Madre, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sierra Madre
View full rent data for Sierra Madre, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Sierra Madre, CA?
Median rent in Sierra Madre is $2,850 a month. A typical paramedic in California earns about $62,752 a year, which makes that rent 54.5% 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 Sierra Madre?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in California (~$62,752/yr) supports up to $1,569 a month in rent. Sierra Madre's current median rent is $2,850/mo, which is $1,281/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Sierra Madre?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in California works roughly 94.5 hours a month to cover Sierra Madre's median rent of $2,850.
Where is rent cheaper than Sierra Madre for a paramedic?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Lafayette ($2,849/mo), Hollister ($2,849/mo), Placentia ($2,849/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.