Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Cookeville, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.6% of gross income.
Cookeville rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Cookeville, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cookeville
View full rent data for Cookeville, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Cookeville, TN?
Median rent in Cookeville is $1,491 a month. A typical paramedic in Tennessee earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 36.6% 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 Cookeville?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Tennessee (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Cookeville's current median rent is $1,491/mo, which is $268/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Cookeville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Tennessee works roughly 63.4 hours a month to cover Cookeville's median rent of $1,491.
Where is rent cheaper than Cookeville for a paramedic?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Johnson City ($1,488/mo), Chattanooga ($1,487/mo), Johnson City ($1,485/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.