Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Lafayette, LA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.3% of gross income.
Lafayette rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana 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 Louisiana cities have lower median rent than Lafayette, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lafayette
View full rent data for Lafayette, LA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Lafayette, LA?
Median rent in Lafayette is $1,324 a month. A typical paramedic in Louisiana earns about $46,267 a year, which makes that rent 34.3% 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 Lafayette?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Louisiana (~$46,267/yr) supports up to $1,157 a month in rent. Lafayette's current median rent is $1,324/mo, which is $167/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Lafayette?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a paramedic in Louisiana works roughly 59.5 hours a month to cover Lafayette's median rent of $1,324.
Where is rent cheaper than Lafayette for a paramedic?
Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Baton Rouge ($1,320/mo), Leesville ($1,319/mo), Eden Isle ($1,319/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.