Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Fairfax, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.4% of gross income.
Fairfax rent: June 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 Fairfax, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fairfax
View full rent data for Fairfax, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Fairfax, VA?
Median rent in Fairfax is $2,458 a month. A typical paramedic in Virginia earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 54.4% 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 Fairfax?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Virginia (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Fairfax's current median rent is $2,458/mo, which is $1,102/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Fairfax?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Virginia works roughly 94.3 hours a month to cover Fairfax's median rent of $2,458.
Where is rent cheaper than Fairfax for a paramedic?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Reston ($2,456/mo), Falls Church ($2,456/mo), Reston ($2,451/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.