Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Des Moines, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.7% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: September 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 Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $1,129 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 27.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $1,129/mo, which leaves a $94/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 48 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $1,129.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a paramedic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Coralville ($1,128/mo), Coralville ($1,127/mo), Marion ($1,124/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.