Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Alton, IL?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.8% of gross income.

Alton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).

Alton median rent
$985/mo
Paramedic salary (Illinois)
$54,244/yr
Rent as % of income
21.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,520, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,356/mo in rent. Alton's median rent of $985 leaves roughly $371/mo of headroom under that threshold. A paramedic works roughly 37.8 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Alton, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Decatur, IL
$984/mo (21.8% of income)
Dixon, IL
$981/mo (21.7% of income)
Highland, IL
$979/mo (21.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Alton

View full rent data for Alton, IL

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Alton, IL?

Median rent in Alton is $985 a month. A typical paramedic in Illinois earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 21.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a paramedic afford in Alton?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Illinois (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Alton's current median rent is $985/mo, which leaves a $371/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Illinois works roughly 37.8 hours a month to cover Alton's median rent of $985.

Where is rent cheaper than Alton for a paramedic?

Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Decatur ($984/mo), Dixon ($981/mo), Highland ($979/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

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