Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Brookings, SD?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.2% of gross income.
Brookings rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota 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 South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Brookings, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brookings
View full rent data for Brookings, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Brookings, SD?
Median rent in Brookings is $1,100 a month. A typical paramedic in South Dakota earns about $46,798 a year, which makes that rent 28.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Brookings?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in South Dakota (~$46,798/yr) supports up to $1,170 a month in rent. Brookings's current median rent is $1,100/mo, which leaves a $70/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Brookings?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a paramedic in South Dakota works roughly 48.9 hours a month to cover Brookings's median rent of $1,100.
Where is rent cheaper than Brookings for a paramedic?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Aberdeen ($1,049/mo), Vermillion ($1,045/mo), Brandon ($1,035/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.