Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Gardner, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.4% of gross income.
Gardner 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 Gardner, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Gardner
View full rent data for Gardner, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Gardner, MA?
Median rent in Gardner is $1,565 a month. A typical paramedic in Massachusetts earns about $61,689 a year, which makes that rent 30.4% 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 Gardner?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Massachusetts (~$61,689/yr) supports up to $1,542 a month in rent. Gardner's current median rent is $1,565/mo, which is $23/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Gardner?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in Massachusetts works roughly 52.8 hours a month to cover Gardner's median rent of $1,565.
Where is rent cheaper than Gardner for a paramedic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Lowell ($1,559/mo), Pittsfield ($1,546/mo), Haverhill ($1,543/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.