Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Rapid City, SD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.2% of gross income.
Rapid City rent: July 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 Rapid City, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rapid City
View full rent data for Rapid City, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Rapid City, SD?
Median rent in Rapid City is $1,491 a month. A typical paramedic in South Dakota earns about $46,798 a year, which makes that rent 38.2% 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 Rapid City?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in South Dakota (~$46,798/yr) supports up to $1,170 a month in rent. Rapid City's current median rent is $1,491/mo, which is $321/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Rapid City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a paramedic in South Dakota works roughly 66.3 hours a month to cover Rapid City's median rent of $1,491.
Where is rent cheaper than Rapid City for a paramedic?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Box Elder ($1,488/mo), Box Elder ($1,486/mo), Box Elder ($1,483/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.