Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Knoxville, IA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.2% of gross income.

Knoxville rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

Knoxville median rent
$906/mo
Paramedic salary (Iowa)
$48,926/yr
Rent as % of income
22.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,077, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,223/mo in rent. Knoxville's median rent of $906 leaves roughly $317/mo of headroom under that threshold. A paramedic works roughly 38.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Knoxville, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Waterloo, IA
$903/mo (22.1% of income)
Waterloo, IA
$894/mo (21.9% of income)
Marshalltown, IA
$893/mo (21.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Knoxville

View full rent data for Knoxville, IA →

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Knoxville, IA?

Median rent in Knoxville is $906 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 22.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a paramedic afford in Knoxville?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Knoxville's current median rent is $906/mo, which leaves a $317/mo buffer.

How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Knoxville?

At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 38.5 hours a month to cover Knoxville's median rent of $906.

Where is rent cheaper than Knoxville for a paramedic?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Waterloo ($903/mo), Waterloo ($894/mo), Marshalltown ($893/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Iowa state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Knoxville, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.