Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Oakdale, MN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 40% of gross income.
Oakdale rent: July 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 Oakdale, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Oakdale
View full rent data for Oakdale, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Oakdale, MN?
Median rent in Oakdale is $1,843 a month. A typical paramedic in Minnesota earns about $55,307 a year, which makes that rent 40% 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 Oakdale?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Minnesota (~$55,307/yr) supports up to $1,383 a month in rent. Oakdale's current median rent is $1,843/mo, which is $460/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Oakdale?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Minnesota works roughly 69.3 hours a month to cover Oakdale's median rent of $1,843.
Where is rent cheaper than Oakdale for a paramedic?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Cottage Grove ($1,842/mo), Shoreview ($1,842/mo), Minnetonka ($1,839/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.