Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Burlington, IA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.3% of gross income.

Burlington rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

Burlington median rent
$991/mo
Paramedic salary (Iowa)
$48,926/yr
Rent as % of income
24.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,077, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,223/mo in rent. Burlington's median rent of $991 leaves roughly $232/mo of headroom under that threshold. A paramedic works roughly 42.1 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Burlington, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Knoxville, IA
$987/mo (24.2% of income)
Newton, IA
$983/mo (24.1% of income)
Newton, IA
$982/mo (24.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Burlington

View full rent data for Burlington, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Burlington, IA?

Median rent in Burlington is $991 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 24.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a paramedic afford in Burlington?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Burlington's current median rent is $991/mo, which leaves a $232/mo buffer.

How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Burlington?

At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 42.1 hours a month to cover Burlington's median rent of $991.

Where is rent cheaper than Burlington for a paramedic?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Knoxville ($987/mo), Newton ($983/mo), Newton ($982/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Iowa state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Burlington, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.