Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Colonial Heights, VA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.8% of gross income.
Colonial Heights rent: September 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 Colonial Heights, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Colonial Heights
View full rent data for Colonial Heights, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Colonial Heights, VA?
Median rent in Colonial Heights is $1,665 a month. A typical paramedic in Virginia earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 36.8% 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 Colonial Heights?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Virginia (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Colonial Heights's current median rent is $1,665/mo, which is $309/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Colonial Heights?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Virginia works roughly 63.8 hours a month to cover Colonial Heights's median rent of $1,665.
Where is rent cheaper than Colonial Heights for a paramedic?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Bellwood ($1,664/mo), East Highland Park ($1,661/mo), Norfolk ($1,660/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.