Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Rochester, MN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.3% of gross income.
Rochester 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 Rochester, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rochester
View full rent data for Rochester, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Rochester, MN?
Median rent in Rochester is $1,675 a month. A typical paramedic in Minnesota earns about $55,307 a year, which makes that rent 36.3% 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 Rochester?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Minnesota (~$55,307/yr) supports up to $1,383 a month in rent. Rochester's current median rent is $1,675/mo, which is $292/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Rochester?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Minnesota works roughly 63 hours a month to cover Rochester's median rent of $1,675.
Where is rent cheaper than Rochester for a paramedic?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include White Bear Lake ($1,674/mo), Eden Prairie ($1,672/mo), Eagan ($1,668/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.