Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Helena, MT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.6% of gross income.
Helena rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Helena, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Helena
View full rent data for Helena, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Helena, MT?
Median rent in Helena is $1,663 a month. A typical paramedic in Montana earns about $46,798 a year, which makes that rent 42.6% 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 Helena?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Montana (~$46,798/yr) supports up to $1,170 a month in rent. Helena's current median rent is $1,663/mo, which is $493/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Helena?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a paramedic in Montana works roughly 73.9 hours a month to cover Helena's median rent of $1,663.
Where is rent cheaper than Helena for a paramedic?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Livingston ($1,600/mo), Missoula ($1,568/mo), Missoula ($1,550/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.