Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Rolla, MO?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 20.3% of gross income.

Rolla rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri state estimate).

Rolla median rent
$828/mo
Paramedic salary (Missouri)
$48,926/yr
Rent as % of income
20.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,077, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,223/mo in rent. Rolla's median rent of $828 leaves roughly $395/mo of headroom under that threshold. A paramedic works roughly 35.2 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Rolla, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Springfield, MO
$822/mo (20.2% of income)
Kirksville, MO
$806/mo (19.8% of income)
Maryville, MO
$774/mo (19% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Rolla

View full rent data for Rolla, MO

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Rolla, MO?

Median rent in Rolla is $828 a month. A typical paramedic in Missouri earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 20.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a paramedic afford in Rolla?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Missouri (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Rolla's current median rent is $828/mo, which leaves a $395/mo buffer.

How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Rolla?

At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Missouri works roughly 35.2 hours a month to cover Rolla's median rent of $828.

Where is rent cheaper than Rolla for a paramedic?

Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Springfield ($822/mo), Kirksville ($806/mo), Maryville ($774/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Missouri state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Rolla, MO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.