Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Philadelphia, PA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.3% of gross income.
Philadelphia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than Philadelphia, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Philadelphia
View full rent data for Philadelphia, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
Median rent in Philadelphia is $1,814 a month. A typical paramedic in Pennsylvania earns about $52,648 a year, which makes that rent 41.3% 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 Philadelphia?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Pennsylvania (~$52,648/yr) supports up to $1,316 a month in rent. Philadelphia's current median rent is $1,814/mo, which is $498/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Philadelphia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a paramedic in Pennsylvania works roughly 71.7 hours a month to cover Philadelphia's median rent of $1,814.
Where is rent cheaper than Philadelphia for a paramedic?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Brookhaven ($1,813/mo), Marcus Hook ($1,813/mo), Cranberry Township ($1,813/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.