Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Waco, TX?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.

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

Waco median rent
$1,369/mo
Paramedic salary (Texas)
$52,648/yr
Rent as % of income
31.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,387, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,316/mo in rent. Waco's median rent of $1,369 exceeds that threshold by $53/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 54.1 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 Waco, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Del Rio, TX
$1,368/mo (31.2% of income)
Waller, TX
$1,368/mo (31.2% of income)
Del Rio, TX
$1,368/mo (31.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Waco

View full rent data for Waco, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Waco, TX?

Median rent in Waco is $1,369 a month. A typical paramedic in Texas earns about $52,648 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% 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 Waco?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Texas (~$52,648/yr) supports up to $1,316 a month in rent. Waco's current median rent is $1,369/mo, which is $53/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a paramedic in Texas works roughly 54.1 hours a month to cover Waco's median rent of $1,369.

Where is rent cheaper than Waco for a paramedic?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Del Rio ($1,368/mo), Waller ($1,368/mo), Del Rio ($1,368/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 Waco, TX. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.