Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Essex, MD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.9% of gross income.
Essex rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland 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 Maryland cities have lower median rent than Essex, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Essex
View full rent data for Essex, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Essex, MD?
Median rent in Essex is $1,477 a month. A typical paramedic in Maryland earns about $57,434 a year, which makes that rent 30.9% 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 Essex?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Maryland (~$57,434/yr) supports up to $1,436 a month in rent. Essex's current median rent is $1,477/mo, which is $41/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Essex?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a paramedic in Maryland works roughly 53.5 hours a month to cover Essex's median rent of $1,477.
Where is rent cheaper than Essex for a paramedic?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Reisterstown ($1,474/mo), Randallstown ($1,473/mo), Randallstown ($1,472/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.