Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Topeka, KS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.2% of gross income.
Topeka rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Topeka, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Topeka
View full rent data for Topeka, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Topeka, KS?
Median rent in Topeka is $1,283 a month. A typical paramedic in Kansas earns about $47,862 a year, which makes that rent 32.2% 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 Topeka?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Kansas (~$47,862/yr) supports up to $1,197 a month in rent. Topeka's current median rent is $1,283/mo, which is $86/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Topeka?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a paramedic in Kansas works roughly 55.8 hours a month to cover Topeka's median rent of $1,283.
Where is rent cheaper than Topeka for a paramedic?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Kansas City ($1,274/mo), Leavenworth ($1,273/mo), Overland Park ($1,269/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.