Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Ames, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.6% of gross income.
Ames rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ames, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ames
View full rent data for Ames, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Ames, IA?
Median rent in Ames is $1,125 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 27.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Ames?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Ames's current median rent is $1,125/mo, which leaves a $98/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Ames?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 47.8 hours a month to cover Ames's median rent of $1,125.
Where is rent cheaper than Ames for a paramedic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,123/mo), Des Moines ($1,123/mo), Dubuque ($1,123/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.