Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Lakewood, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.7% of gross income.
Lakewood rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey 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 New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Lakewood, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lakewood
View full rent data for Lakewood, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Lakewood, NJ?
Median rent in Lakewood is $2,021 a month. A typical paramedic in New Jersey earns about $59,562 a year, which makes that rent 40.7% 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 Lakewood?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in New Jersey (~$59,562/yr) supports up to $1,489 a month in rent. Lakewood's current median rent is $2,021/mo, which is $532/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Lakewood?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a paramedic in New Jersey works roughly 70.6 hours a month to cover Lakewood's median rent of $2,021.
Where is rent cheaper than Lakewood for a paramedic?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Paterson ($2,020/mo), Vineland ($2,018/mo), Woodbury ($2,017/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.