Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Indianola, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.4% of gross income.
Indianola 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 Indianola, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Indianola
View full rent data for Indianola, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Indianola, IA?
Median rent in Indianola is $1,034 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 25.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Indianola?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Indianola's current median rent is $1,034/mo, which leaves a $189/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Indianola?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 44 hours a month to cover Indianola's median rent of $1,034.
Where is rent cheaper than Indianola for a paramedic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Urbandale ($1,033/mo), Pella ($1,033/mo), Dubuque ($1,032/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.