Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Darien, IL?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.7% of gross income.

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

Darien median rent
$2,158/mo
Paramedic salary (Illinois)
$54,244/yr
Rent as % of income
47.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,520, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,356/mo in rent. Darien's median rent of $2,158 exceeds that threshold by $802/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 82.7 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 Darien, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Naperville, IL
$2,157/mo (47.7% of income)
Warrenville, IL
$2,156/mo (47.7% of income)
Naperville, IL
$2,156/mo (47.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Darien

View full rent data for Darien, IL

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Darien, IL?

Median rent in Darien is $2,158 a month. A typical paramedic in Illinois earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 47.7% 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 Darien?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Illinois (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Darien's current median rent is $2,158/mo, which is $802/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Illinois works roughly 82.7 hours a month to cover Darien's median rent of $2,158.

Where is rent cheaper than Darien for a paramedic?

Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Naperville ($2,157/mo), Warrenville ($2,156/mo), Naperville ($2,156/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 Darien, IL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.