Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Wood River, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.9% of gross income.
Wood River rent: July 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 Wood River, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wood River
View full rent data for Wood River, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Wood River, IL?
Median rent in Wood River is $1,081 a month. A typical paramedic in Illinois earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 23.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Wood River?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Illinois (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Wood River's current median rent is $1,081/mo, which leaves a $275/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Wood River?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Illinois works roughly 41.5 hours a month to cover Wood River's median rent of $1,081.
Where is rent cheaper than Wood River for a paramedic?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Kankakee ($1,079/mo), Belleville ($1,079/mo), Fairview Heights ($1,078/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.