Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Cottage Grove, MN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.6% of gross income.
Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cottage Grove
View full rent data for Cottage Grove, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Cottage Grove, MN?
Median rent in Cottage Grove is $1,916 a month. A typical paramedic in Minnesota earns about $55,307 a year, which makes that rent 41.6% 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 Cottage Grove?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Minnesota (~$55,307/yr) supports up to $1,383 a month in rent. Cottage Grove's current median rent is $1,916/mo, which is $533/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Cottage Grove?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Minnesota works roughly 72.1 hours a month to cover Cottage Grove's median rent of $1,916.
Where is rent cheaper than Cottage Grove for a paramedic?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Lakeville ($1,914/mo), Lakeville ($1,912/mo), Plymouth ($1,910/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.