Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Amherst, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.5% of gross income.
Amherst rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Amherst, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Amherst
View full rent data for Amherst, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Amherst, MA?
Median rent in Amherst is $2,491 a month. A typical paramedic in Massachusetts earns about $61,689 a year, which makes that rent 48.5% 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 Amherst?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Massachusetts (~$61,689/yr) supports up to $1,542 a month in rent. Amherst's current median rent is $2,491/mo, which is $949/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Amherst?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in Massachusetts works roughly 84 hours a month to cover Amherst's median rent of $2,491.
Where is rent cheaper than Amherst for a paramedic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Stoughton ($2,490/mo), Stoughton ($2,490/mo), Hudson ($2,489/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.