Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in New Bedford, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.3% of gross income.
New Bedford 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 New Bedford, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for New Bedford
View full rent data for New Bedford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in New Bedford, MA?
Median rent in New Bedford is $1,916 a month. A typical paramedic in Massachusetts earns about $61,689 a year, which makes that rent 37.3% 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 New Bedford?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Massachusetts (~$61,689/yr) supports up to $1,542 a month in rent. New Bedford's current median rent is $1,916/mo, which is $374/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in New Bedford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in Massachusetts works roughly 64.6 hours a month to cover New Bedford's median rent of $1,916.
Where is rent cheaper than New Bedford for a paramedic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Westfield ($1,910/mo), Leominster ($1,908/mo), Boxboro ($1,906/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.