Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Meridian, MS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.
Meridian rent: July 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 Meridian, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Meridian
View full rent data for Meridian, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Meridian, MS?
Median rent in Meridian is $1,279 a month. A typical paramedic in Mississippi earns about $43,076 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Meridian?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Mississippi (~$43,076/yr) supports up to $1,077 a month in rent. Meridian's current median rent is $1,279/mo, which is $202/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Meridian?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a paramedic in Mississippi works roughly 61.8 hours a month to cover Meridian's median rent of $1,279.
Where is rent cheaper than Meridian for a paramedic?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Gautier ($1,275/mo), Jackson ($1,271/mo), Jackson ($1,270/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.