Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Melrose, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 58.9% of gross income.
Melrose rent: June 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 Melrose, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Melrose
View full rent data for Melrose, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Melrose, MA?
Median rent in Melrose is $3,026 a month. A typical paramedic in Massachusetts earns about $61,689 a year, which makes that rent 58.9% 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 Melrose?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Massachusetts (~$61,689/yr) supports up to $1,542 a month in rent. Melrose's current median rent is $3,026/mo, which is $1,484/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Melrose?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in Massachusetts works roughly 102 hours a month to cover Melrose's median rent of $3,026.
Where is rent cheaper than Melrose for a paramedic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Burlington ($3,025/mo), Bedford ($3,024/mo), Winchester ($3,023/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.