Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Albuquerque, NM?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.3% of gross income.
Albuquerque rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico 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 Mexico cities have lower median rent than Albuquerque, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Albuquerque
View full rent data for Albuquerque, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Albuquerque, NM?
Median rent in Albuquerque is $1,486 a month. A typical paramedic in New Mexico earns about $47,862 a year, which makes that rent 37.3% 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 Albuquerque?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in New Mexico (~$47,862/yr) supports up to $1,197 a month in rent. Albuquerque's current median rent is $1,486/mo, which is $289/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Albuquerque?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a paramedic in New Mexico works roughly 64.6 hours a month to cover Albuquerque's median rent of $1,486.
Where is rent cheaper than Albuquerque for a paramedic?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Alamogordo ($1,484/mo), Hobbs ($1,475/mo), Alamogordo ($1,473/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.