Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Hickory, NC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.8% of gross income.
Hickory rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina 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 North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Hickory, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Hickory
View full rent data for Hickory, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Hickory, NC?
Median rent in Hickory is $1,492 a month. A typical paramedic in North Carolina earns about $49,989 a year, which makes that rent 35.8% 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 Hickory?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in North Carolina (~$49,989/yr) supports up to $1,250 a month in rent. Hickory's current median rent is $1,492/mo, which is $242/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Hickory?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in North Carolina works roughly 62.1 hours a month to cover Hickory's median rent of $1,492.
Where is rent cheaper than Hickory for a paramedic?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Archdale ($1,491/mo), Pikeville ($1,489/mo), Lincolnton ($1,489/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.