Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Urbandale, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.5% of gross income.
Urbandale 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 Urbandale, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Urbandale
View full rent data for Urbandale, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Urbandale, IA?
Median rent in Urbandale is $1,038 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 25.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Urbandale?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Urbandale's current median rent is $1,038/mo, which leaves a $185/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Urbandale?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 44.1 hours a month to cover Urbandale's median rent of $1,038.
Where is rent cheaper than Urbandale for a paramedic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Indianola ($1,036/mo), Dubuque ($1,035/mo), Pella ($1,035/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.