Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Columbus, MS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.7% of gross income.
Columbus rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Mississippi 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 Mississippi cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Columbus, MS?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,388 a month. A typical paramedic in Mississippi earns about $43,076 a year, which makes that rent 38.7% 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Mississippi (~$43,076/yr) supports up to $1,077 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,388/mo, which is $311/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a paramedic in Mississippi works roughly 67 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,388.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a paramedic?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Pearl ($1,387/mo), Pearl ($1,386/mo), Biloxi ($1,386/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.