Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Sterling, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 59.5% of gross income.
Sterling 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 Sterling, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sterling
View full rent data for Sterling, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Sterling, VA?
Median rent in Sterling is $2,689 a month. A typical paramedic in Virginia earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 59.5% 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 Sterling?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Virginia (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Sterling's current median rent is $2,689/mo, which is $1,333/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Sterling?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Virginia works roughly 103.1 hours a month to cover Sterling's median rent of $2,689.
Where is rent cheaper than Sterling for a paramedic?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include McLean ($2,686/mo), McLean ($2,682/mo), Stafford ($2,664/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.