Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Waukegan, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.5% of gross income.
Waukegan 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 Waukegan, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waukegan
View full rent data for Waukegan, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Waukegan, IL?
Median rent in Waukegan is $1,648 a month. A typical paramedic in Illinois earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 36.5% 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 Waukegan?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Illinois (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Waukegan's current median rent is $1,648/mo, which is $292/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Waukegan?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Illinois works roughly 63.2 hours a month to cover Waukegan's median rent of $1,648.
Where is rent cheaper than Waukegan for a paramedic?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Bensenville ($1,645/mo), O Fallon ($1,645/mo), Oak Lawn ($1,644/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.