Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Watford City, ND?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.8% of gross income.

Watford City rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota state estimate).

Watford City median rent
$1,322/mo
Paramedic salary (North Dakota)
$51,585/yr
Rent as % of income
30.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,299, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,290/mo in rent. Watford City's median rent of $1,322 exceeds that threshold by $32/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 53.3 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 North Dakota cities have lower median rent than Watford City, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Mandan, ND
$1,321/mo (30.7% of income)
Bismarck, ND
$1,318/mo (30.7% of income)
Bismarck, ND
$1,316/mo (30.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Watford City

View full rent data for Watford City, ND

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Watford City, ND?

Median rent in Watford City is $1,322 a month. A typical paramedic in North Dakota earns about $51,585 a year, which makes that rent 30.8% 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 Watford City?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in North Dakota (~$51,585/yr) supports up to $1,290 a month in rent. Watford City's current median rent is $1,322/mo, which is $32/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a paramedic in North Dakota works roughly 53.3 hours a month to cover Watford City's median rent of $1,322.

Where is rent cheaper than Watford City for a paramedic?

Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Mandan ($1,321/mo), Bismarck ($1,318/mo), Bismarck ($1,316/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

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