Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Cape Girardeau, MO?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 23.4% of gross income.
Cape Girardeau rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri 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 Missouri cities have lower median rent than Cape Girardeau, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cape Girardeau
View full rent data for Cape Girardeau, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Cape Girardeau, MO?
Median rent in Cape Girardeau is $956 a month. A typical paramedic in Missouri earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 23.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Cape Girardeau?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Missouri (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Cape Girardeau's current median rent is $956/mo, which leaves a $267/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Cape Girardeau?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Missouri works roughly 40.6 hours a month to cover Cape Girardeau's median rent of $956.
Where is rent cheaper than Cape Girardeau for a paramedic?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Kirksville ($953/mo), Waynesville ($951/mo), Jefferson City ($951/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.