Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Waterloo, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.3% of gross income.
Waterloo 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 Waterloo, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waterloo
View full rent data for Waterloo, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Waterloo, IA?
Median rent in Waterloo is $909 a month. A typical paramedic in Iowa earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 22.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Waterloo?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Iowa (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Waterloo's current median rent is $909/mo, which leaves a $314/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Waterloo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Iowa works roughly 38.6 hours a month to cover Waterloo's median rent of $909.
Where is rent cheaper than Waterloo for a paramedic?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Knoxville ($907/mo), Knoxville ($906/mo), Knoxville ($906/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.