Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Knoxville, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.6% of gross income.
Knoxville rent: June 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 Knoxville, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Knoxville
View full rent data for Knoxville, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Knoxville, TN?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,735 a month. A typical paramedic in Tennessee earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 42.6% 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 Knoxville?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Tennessee (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Knoxville's current median rent is $1,735/mo, which is $512/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Knoxville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Tennessee works roughly 73.8 hours a month to cover Knoxville's median rent of $1,735.
Where is rent cheaper than Knoxville for a paramedic?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Goodlettsville ($1,733/mo), Alcoa ($1,732/mo), Lenoir City ($1,732/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.