Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Memphis, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.4% of gross income.
Memphis 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 Memphis, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Memphis
View full rent data for Memphis, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Memphis, TN?
Median rent in Memphis is $1,280 a month. A typical paramedic in Tennessee earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 31.4% 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 Memphis?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Tennessee (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Memphis's current median rent is $1,280/mo, which is $57/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Memphis?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Tennessee works roughly 54.4 hours a month to cover Memphis's median rent of $1,280.
Where is rent cheaper than Memphis for a paramedic?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Gallatin ($1,279/mo), Smyrna ($1,274/mo), Jonesborough ($1,274/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.