Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Honolulu, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.6% of gross income.
Honolulu rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii 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 Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Honolulu, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Honolulu
View full rent data for Honolulu, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Honolulu, HI?
Median rent in Honolulu is $2,660 a month. A typical paramedic in Hawaii earns about $57,434 a year, which makes that rent 55.6% 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 Honolulu?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Hawaii (~$57,434/yr) supports up to $1,436 a month in rent. Honolulu's current median rent is $2,660/mo, which is $1,224/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Honolulu?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a paramedic in Hawaii works roughly 96.3 hours a month to cover Honolulu's median rent of $2,660.
Where is rent cheaper than Honolulu for a paramedic?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Waipahu ($2,657/mo), Mililani ($2,653/mo), Kailua ($2,650/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.