Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Sycamore, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.1% of gross income.
Sycamore 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 Sycamore, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sycamore
View full rent data for Sycamore, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Sycamore, IL?
Median rent in Sycamore is $1,543 a month. A typical paramedic in Illinois earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 34.1% 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 Sycamore?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Illinois (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Sycamore's current median rent is $1,543/mo, which is $187/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Sycamore?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Illinois works roughly 59.2 hours a month to cover Sycamore's median rent of $1,543.
Where is rent cheaper than Sycamore for a paramedic?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Waukegan ($1,542/mo), Woodridge ($1,539/mo), Joliet ($1,537/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.