Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Athens, GA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.7% of gross income.
Athens rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Georgia 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 Georgia cities have lower median rent than Athens, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Athens
View full rent data for Athens, GA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Athens, GA?
Median rent in Athens is $1,629 a month. A typical paramedic in Georgia earns about $50,521 a year, which makes that rent 38.7% 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 Athens?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Georgia (~$50,521/yr) supports up to $1,263 a month in rent. Athens's current median rent is $1,629/mo, which is $366/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Athens?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Georgia works roughly 67.1 hours a month to cover Athens's median rent of $1,629.
Where is rent cheaper than Athens for a paramedic?
Nearby Georgia cities with lower median rent include Riverdale ($1,628/mo), Canton ($1,627/mo), Stone Mountain ($1,627/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.