Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Wilkes-Barre rent: July 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 Wilkes-Barre, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wilkes-Barre
View full rent data for Wilkes-Barre, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Median rent in Wilkes-Barre is $1,337 a month. A typical paramedic in Pennsylvania earns about $52,648 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% 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 Wilkes-Barre?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Pennsylvania (~$52,648/yr) supports up to $1,316 a month in rent. Wilkes-Barre's current median rent is $1,337/mo, which is $21/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Wilkes-Barre?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a paramedic in Pennsylvania works roughly 52.8 hours a month to cover Wilkes-Barre's median rent of $1,337.
Where is rent cheaper than Wilkes-Barre for a paramedic?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Bethel Park ($1,336/mo), Hanover ($1,336/mo), Aliquippa ($1,336/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.