Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Athens, TX?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.6% of gross income.

Athens rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

Athens median rent
$1,168/mo
Paramedic salary (Texas)
$52,648/yr
Rent as % of income
26.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,387, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,316/mo in rent. Athens's median rent of $1,168 leaves roughly $148/mo of headroom under that threshold. A paramedic works roughly 46.1 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Athens, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

North Richland Hills, TX
$1,167/mo (26.6% of income)
Midland, TX
$1,165/mo (26.6% of income)
Freeport, TX
$1,164/mo (26.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Athens

View full rent data for Athens, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Athens, TX?

Median rent in Athens is $1,168 a month. A typical paramedic in Texas earns about $52,648 a year, which makes that rent 26.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a paramedic afford in Athens?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Texas (~$52,648/yr) supports up to $1,316 a month in rent. Athens's current median rent is $1,168/mo, which leaves a $148/mo buffer.

How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Athens?

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a paramedic in Texas works roughly 46.1 hours a month to cover Athens's median rent of $1,168.

Where is rent cheaper than Athens for a paramedic?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include North Richland Hills ($1,167/mo), Midland ($1,165/mo), Freeport ($1,164/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Texas state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Athens, TX. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.