Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Cortez, CO?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.5% of gross income.
Cortez rent: July 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 Cortez, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cortez
View full rent data for Cortez, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Cortez, CO?
Median rent in Cortez is $1,746 a month. A typical paramedic in Colorado earns about $55,839 a year, which makes that rent 37.5% 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 Cortez?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Colorado (~$55,839/yr) supports up to $1,396 a month in rent. Cortez's current median rent is $1,746/mo, which is $350/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Cortez?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Colorado works roughly 65 hours a month to cover Cortez's median rent of $1,746.
Where is rent cheaper than Cortez for a paramedic?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Aurora ($1,745/mo), Lakewood ($1,745/mo), Lakewood ($1,744/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.