Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Ruston, LA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.4% of gross income.

Ruston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana state estimate).

Ruston median rent
$1,442/mo
Paramedic salary (Louisiana)
$46,267/yr
Rent as % of income
37.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,856, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,157/mo in rent. Ruston's median rent of $1,442 exceeds that threshold by $285/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 64.8 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Ruston, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Slidell, LA
$1,441/mo (37.4% of income)
Denham Springs, LA
$1,440/mo (37.3% of income)
Slidell, LA
$1,438/mo (37.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Ruston

View full rent data for Ruston, LA

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Ruston, LA?

Median rent in Ruston is $1,442 a month. A typical paramedic in Louisiana earns about $46,267 a year, which makes that rent 37.4% 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 Ruston?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Louisiana (~$46,267/yr) supports up to $1,157 a month in rent. Ruston's current median rent is $1,442/mo, which is $285/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Ruston?

At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a paramedic in Louisiana works roughly 64.8 hours a month to cover Ruston's median rent of $1,442.

Where is rent cheaper than Ruston for a paramedic?

Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Slidell ($1,441/mo), Denham Springs ($1,440/mo), Slidell ($1,438/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Louisiana state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Ruston, LA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.