Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Columbia Heights, MN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34% of gross income.
Columbia Heights rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota 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 Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Columbia Heights, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbia Heights
View full rent data for Columbia Heights, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Columbia Heights, MN?
Median rent in Columbia Heights is $1,566 a month. A typical paramedic in Minnesota earns about $55,307 a year, which makes that rent 34% 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 Columbia Heights?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Minnesota (~$55,307/yr) supports up to $1,383 a month in rent. Columbia Heights's current median rent is $1,566/mo, which is $183/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Columbia Heights?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Minnesota works roughly 58.9 hours a month to cover Columbia Heights's median rent of $1,566.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbia Heights for a paramedic?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Minneapolis ($1,564/mo), Robbinsdale ($1,564/mo), Crystal ($1,563/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.