Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Indianola, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.4% of gross income.
Indianola 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 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 $1,282 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 31.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
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 $1,282/mo, which is $59/mo over the affordability threshold.
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 54.5 hours a month to cover Indianola's median rent of $1,282.
Where is rent cheaper than Indianola for a paramedic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Bettendorf ($1,280/mo), Bettendorf ($1,279/mo), Coralville ($1,278/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.