Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Richmond, VA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36% of gross income.
Richmond 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 Richmond, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Richmond
View full rent data for Richmond, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Richmond, VA?
Median rent in Richmond is $1,628 a month. A typical paramedic in Virginia earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 36% 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 Richmond?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Virginia (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Richmond's current median rent is $1,628/mo, which is $272/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Richmond?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Virginia works roughly 62.4 hours a month to cover Richmond's median rent of $1,628.
Where is rent cheaper than Richmond for a paramedic?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include East Highland Park ($1,624/mo), Harrisonburg ($1,623/mo), Portsmouth ($1,622/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.