Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Boulder, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.4% of gross income.
Boulder rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Boulder, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boulder
View full rent data for Boulder, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Boulder, CO?
Median rent in Boulder is $2,439 a month. A typical paramedic in Colorado earns about $55,839 a year, which makes that rent 52.4% 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 Boulder?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Colorado (~$55,839/yr) supports up to $1,396 a month in rent. Boulder's current median rent is $2,439/mo, which is $1,043/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Boulder?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Colorado works roughly 90.9 hours a month to cover Boulder's median rent of $2,439.
Where is rent cheaper than Boulder for a paramedic?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Highlands Ranch ($2,435/mo), Highlands Ranch ($2,430/mo), Steamboat Springs ($2,429/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.