Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Decatur, TX?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32% of gross income.

Decatur rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

Decatur median rent
$1,402/mo
Paramedic salary (Texas)
$52,648/yr
Rent as % of income
32%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,387, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,316/mo in rent. Decatur's median rent of $1,402 exceeds that threshold by $86/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 55.4 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 Decatur, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Georgetown, TX
$1,401/mo (31.9% of income)
Midland, TX
$1,401/mo (31.9% of income)
Galveston, TX
$1,401/mo (31.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Decatur

View full rent data for Decatur, TX →

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Decatur, TX?

Median rent in Decatur is $1,402 a month. A typical paramedic in Texas earns about $52,648 a year, which makes that rent 32% 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 Decatur?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Texas (~$52,648/yr) supports up to $1,316 a month in rent. Decatur's current median rent is $1,402/mo, which is $86/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a paramedic in Texas works roughly 55.4 hours a month to cover Decatur's median rent of $1,402.

Where is rent cheaper than Decatur for a paramedic?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Georgetown ($1,401/mo), Midland ($1,401/mo), Galveston ($1,401/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 Decatur, TX. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.