Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Denver, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.5% of gross income.
Denver 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 Denver, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Denver
View full rent data for Denver, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Denver, CO?
Median rent in Denver is $1,884 a month. A typical paramedic in Colorado earns about $55,839 a year, which makes that rent 40.5% 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 Denver?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Colorado (~$55,839/yr) supports up to $1,396 a month in rent. Denver's current median rent is $1,884/mo, which is $488/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Denver?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Colorado works roughly 70.2 hours a month to cover Denver's median rent of $1,884.
Where is rent cheaper than Denver for a paramedic?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Thornton ($1,883/mo), Commerce City ($1,880/mo), Thornton ($1,880/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.