Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Columbus, OH?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35% of gross income.
Columbus rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Ohio 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 Ohio cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, OH →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Columbus, OH?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,456 a month. A typical paramedic in Ohio earns about $49,989 a year, which makes that rent 35% 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Ohio (~$49,989/yr) supports up to $1,250 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,456/mo, which is $206/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Ohio works roughly 60.6 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,456.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a paramedic?
Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Hamilton ($1,455/mo), Gahanna ($1,455/mo), Oxford ($1,455/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.