Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Nashville, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.6% of gross income.
Nashville rent: September 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 Nashville, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Nashville
View full rent data for Nashville, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Nashville, TN?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,820 a month. A typical paramedic in Tennessee earns about $48,926 a year, which makes that rent 44.6% 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 Nashville?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Tennessee (~$48,926/yr) supports up to $1,223 a month in rent. Nashville's current median rent is $1,820/mo, which is $597/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Nashville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Tennessee works roughly 77.4 hours a month to cover Nashville's median rent of $1,820.
Where is rent cheaper than Nashville for a paramedic?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Lenoir City ($1,818/mo), Lenoir City ($1,815/mo), Lenoir City ($1,807/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.