Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Chelsea, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.2% of gross income.
Chelsea rent: September 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 Chelsea, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelsea
View full rent data for Chelsea, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Chelsea, MA?
Median rent in Chelsea is $2,632 a month. A typical paramedic in Massachusetts earns about $61,689 a year, which makes that rent 51.2% 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 Chelsea?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Massachusetts (~$61,689/yr) supports up to $1,542 a month in rent. Chelsea's current median rent is $2,632/mo, which is $1,090/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Chelsea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in Massachusetts works roughly 88.7 hours a month to cover Chelsea's median rent of $2,632.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelsea for a paramedic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Salem ($2,631/mo), Bridgewater ($2,630/mo), North Andover ($2,630/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.