Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Elgin, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.2% of gross income.
Elgin rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Elgin, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Elgin
View full rent data for Elgin, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Elgin, IL?
Median rent in Elgin is $1,909 a month. A typical paramedic in Illinois earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 42.2% 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 Elgin?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Illinois (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Elgin's current median rent is $1,909/mo, which is $553/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Elgin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Illinois works roughly 73.2 hours a month to cover Elgin's median rent of $1,909.
Where is rent cheaper than Elgin for a paramedic?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Rolling Meadows ($1,908/mo), Glendale Heights ($1,908/mo), Arlington Heights ($1,907/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.