Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Bristol, RI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.1% of gross income.
Bristol rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Bristol, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bristol
View full rent data for Bristol, RI →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Bristol, RI?
Median rent in Bristol is $2,401 a month. A typical paramedic in Rhode Island earns about $55,307 a year, which makes that rent 52.1% 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 Bristol?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Rhode Island (~$55,307/yr) supports up to $1,383 a month in rent. Bristol's current median rent is $2,401/mo, which is $1,018/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Bristol?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a paramedic in Rhode Island works roughly 90.3 hours a month to cover Bristol's median rent of $2,401.
Where is rent cheaper than Bristol for a paramedic?
Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include East Greenwich ($2,399/mo), Warwick ($2,395/mo), Coventry ($2,387/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.