Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Iowa City, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.
Iowa City 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 Iowa City, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Iowa City
View full rent data for Iowa City, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Iowa City, IA?
Median rent in Iowa City is $1,271 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% 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 Iowa City?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Iowa City's current median rent is $1,271/mo, which is $48/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Iowa City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 54 hours a month to cover Iowa City's median rent of $1,271.
Where is rent cheaper than Iowa City for a paramedic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Bettendorf ($1,266/mo), Bettendorf ($1,264/mo), Council Bluffs ($1,264/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.