Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Sioux Falls, SD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34% of gross income.
Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sioux Falls
View full rent data for Sioux Falls, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Sioux Falls, SD?
Median rent in Sioux Falls is $1,327 a month. A typical paramedic in South Dakota earns about $46,798 a year, which makes that rent 34% 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 Sioux Falls?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in South Dakota (~$46,798/yr) supports up to $1,170 a month in rent. Sioux Falls's current median rent is $1,327/mo, which is $157/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Sioux Falls?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a paramedic in South Dakota works roughly 59 hours a month to cover Sioux Falls's median rent of $1,327.
Where is rent cheaper than Sioux Falls for a paramedic?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Brookings ($1,317/mo), Box Elder ($1,313/mo), Tea ($1,309/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.