Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Fort Dodge, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 20.1% of gross income.
Fort Dodge rent: July 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 Fort Dodge, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fort Dodge
View full rent data for Fort Dodge, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Fort Dodge, IA?
Median rent in Fort Dodge is $820 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 20.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Fort Dodge?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Fort Dodge's current median rent is $820/mo, which leaves a $403/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Fort Dodge?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 34.9 hours a month to cover Fort Dodge's median rent of $820.
Where is rent cheaper than Fort Dodge for a paramedic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Boone ($806/mo), Burlington ($806/mo), Boone ($804/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.