Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Salem, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.2% of gross income.
Salem 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Salem, MA?
Median rent in Salem is $2,683 a month. A typical paramedic in Massachusetts earns about $61,689 a year, which makes that rent 52.2% 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 Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Massachusetts (~$61,689/yr) supports up to $1,542 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $2,683/mo, which is $1,141/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a paramedic in Massachusetts works roughly 90.5 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $2,683.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a paramedic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Tewksbury ($2,682/mo), Andover ($2,682/mo), Andover ($2,682/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.