Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Golden, CO?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.3% of gross income.

Golden rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado state estimate).

Golden median rent
$2,295/mo
Paramedic salary (Colorado)
$55,839/yr
Rent as % of income
49.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,653, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,396/mo in rent. Golden's median rent of $2,295 exceeds that threshold by $899/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 85.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Golden, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Security-Widefield, CO
$2,287/mo (49.1% of income)
Louisville, CO
$2,285/mo (49.1% of income)
Lafayette, CO
$2,283/mo (49.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Golden

View full rent data for Golden, CO

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Golden, CO?

Median rent in Golden is $2,295 a month. A typical paramedic in Colorado earns about $55,839 a year, which makes that rent 49.3% 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 Golden?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Colorado (~$55,839/yr) supports up to $1,396 a month in rent. Golden's current median rent is $2,295/mo, which is $899/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Golden?

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Colorado works roughly 85.5 hours a month to cover Golden's median rent of $2,295.

Where is rent cheaper than Golden for a paramedic?

Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Security-Widefield ($2,287/mo), Louisville ($2,285/mo), Lafayette ($2,283/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Colorado state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Golden, CO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.