Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Saint Helens, OR?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36% of gross income.
Saint Helens rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon 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 Oregon cities have lower median rent than Saint Helens, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Saint Helens
View full rent data for Saint Helens, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Saint Helens, OR?
Median rent in Saint Helens is $1,660 a month. A typical paramedic in Oregon earns about $55,307 a year, which makes that rent 36% 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 Saint Helens?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Oregon (~$55,307/yr) supports up to $1,383 a month in rent. Saint Helens's current median rent is $1,660/mo, which is $277/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Saint Helens?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Oregon works roughly 62.4 hours a month to cover Saint Helens's median rent of $1,660.
Where is rent cheaper than Saint Helens for a paramedic?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Hermiston ($1,657/mo), Medford ($1,656/mo), McMinnville ($1,656/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.