Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in North Liberty, IA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.6% of gross income.

North Liberty rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

North Liberty median rent
$1,655/mo
Paramedic salary (Iowa)
$48,926/yr
Rent as % of income
40.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,077, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,223/mo in rent. North Liberty's median rent of $1,655 exceeds that threshold by $432/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 70.4 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 North Liberty, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Altoona, IA
$1,639/mo (40.2% of income)
Waukee, IA
$1,636/mo (40.1% of income)
Altoona, IA
$1,622/mo (39.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for North Liberty

View full rent data for North Liberty, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in North Liberty, IA?

Median rent in North Liberty is $1,655 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 40.6% 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 North Liberty?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. North Liberty's current median rent is $1,655/mo, which is $432/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 70.4 hours a month to cover North Liberty's median rent of $1,655.

Where is rent cheaper than North Liberty for a paramedic?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Altoona ($1,639/mo), Waukee ($1,636/mo), Altoona ($1,622/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 North Liberty, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.