Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Bristol, VA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29% of gross income.
Bristol rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Bristol, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bristol
View full rent data for Bristol, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Bristol, VA?
Median rent in Bristol is $1,310 a month. A typical paramedic in Virginia earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 29% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Bristol?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Virginia (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Bristol's current median rent is $1,310/mo, which leaves a $46/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Bristol?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Virginia works roughly 50.2 hours a month to cover Bristol's median rent of $1,310.
Where is rent cheaper than Bristol for a paramedic?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Waynesboro ($1,309/mo), Roanoke ($1,309/mo), Lynchburg ($1,309/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.