Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Newport News, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.2% of gross income.

Newport News rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Newport News median rent
$1,590/mo
Paramedic salary (Virginia)
$54,244/yr
Rent as % of income
35.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,520, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,356/mo in rent. Newport News's median rent of $1,590 exceeds that threshold by $234/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 61 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 Newport News, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Christiansburg, VA
$1,589/mo (35.2% of income)
Colonial Heights, VA
$1,589/mo (35.2% of income)
Waynesboro, VA
$1,588/mo (35.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Newport News

View full rent data for Newport News, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Newport News, VA?

Median rent in Newport News is $1,590 a month. A typical paramedic in Virginia earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 35.2% 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 Newport News?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Virginia (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Newport News's current median rent is $1,590/mo, which is $234/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Virginia works roughly 61 hours a month to cover Newport News's median rent of $1,590.

Where is rent cheaper than Newport News for a paramedic?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Christiansburg ($1,589/mo), Colonial Heights ($1,589/mo), Waynesboro ($1,588/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 Newport News, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.