Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Lake Wales, FL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.8% of gross income.
Lake Wales rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida 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 Florida cities have lower median rent than Lake Wales, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lake Wales
View full rent data for Lake Wales, FL →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Lake Wales, FL?
Median rent in Lake Wales is $1,680 a month. A typical paramedic in Florida earns about $49,457 a year, which makes that rent 40.8% 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 Lake Wales?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Florida (~$49,457/yr) supports up to $1,236 a month in rent. Lake Wales's current median rent is $1,680/mo, which is $444/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Lake Wales?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Florida works roughly 70.7 hours a month to cover Lake Wales's median rent of $1,680.
Where is rent cheaper than Lake Wales for a paramedic?
Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Panama City ($1,679/mo), Orange City ($1,679/mo), Saint Augustine ($1,678/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.