Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Waynesboro, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.4% of gross income.

Waynesboro rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Waynesboro median rent
$1,602/mo
Paramedic salary (Virginia)
$54,244/yr
Rent as % of income
35.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,520, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,356/mo in rent. Waynesboro's median rent of $1,602 exceeds that threshold by $246/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 61.4 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 Waynesboro, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

East Highland Park, VA
$1,599/mo (35.4% of income)
Highland Springs, VA
$1,598/mo (35.4% of income)
Newport News, VA
$1,596/mo (35.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Waynesboro

View full rent data for Waynesboro, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Waynesboro, VA?

Median rent in Waynesboro is $1,602 a month. A typical paramedic in Virginia earns about $54,244 a year, which makes that rent 35.4% 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 Waynesboro?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Virginia (~$54,244/yr) supports up to $1,356 a month in rent. Waynesboro's current median rent is $1,602/mo, which is $246/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a paramedic in Virginia works roughly 61.4 hours a month to cover Waynesboro's median rent of $1,602.

Where is rent cheaper than Waynesboro for a paramedic?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include East Highland Park ($1,599/mo), Highland Springs ($1,598/mo), Newport News ($1,596/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 Waynesboro, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.