Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Alexandria, VA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.3% of gross income.

Alexandria rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Alexandria median rent
$2,318/mo
Paramedic salary (Virginia)
$54,244/yr
Rent as % of income
51.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,520, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,356/mo in rent. Alexandria's median rent of $2,318 exceeds that threshold by $962/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 88.9 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Alexandria, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Leesburg, VA
$2,317/mo (51.3% of income)
Herndon, VA
$2,315/mo (51.2% of income)
Herndon, VA
$2,313/mo (51.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Alexandria

View full rent data for Alexandria, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Alexandria, VA?

Median rent in Alexandria is $2,318 a month. A typical paramedic in Virginia earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 51.3% 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 Alexandria?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Virginia (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Alexandria's current median rent is $2,318/mo, which is $962/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Virginia works roughly 88.9 hours a month to cover Alexandria's median rent of $2,318.

Where is rent cheaper than Alexandria for a paramedic?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Leesburg ($2,317/mo), Herndon ($2,315/mo), Herndon ($2,313/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

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