Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Dover, DE?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.8% of gross income.
Dover rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Delaware 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 Delaware cities have lower median rent than Dover, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Dover
View full rent data for Dover, DE →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Dover, DE?
Median rent in Dover is $1,619 a month. A typical paramedic in Delaware earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 35.8% 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 Dover?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Delaware (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Dover's current median rent is $1,619/mo, which is $263/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Dover?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Delaware works roughly 62.1 hours a month to cover Dover's median rent of $1,619.
Where is rent cheaper than Dover for a paramedic?
Nearby Delaware cities with lower median rent include Claymont ($1,616/mo), Claymont ($1,613/mo), Claymont ($1,611/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.