Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Centralia, WA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.9% of gross income.

Centralia rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Centralia median rent
$1,433/mo
Paramedic salary (Washington)
$59,562/yr
Rent as % of income
28.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,964, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,489/mo in rent. Centralia's median rent of $1,433 leaves roughly $56/mo of headroom under that threshold. A paramedic works roughly 50 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Centralia, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Ellensburg, WA
$1,432/mo (28.9% of income)
Ellensburg, WA
$1,431/mo (28.8% of income)
Spokane, WA
$1,430/mo (28.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Centralia

View full rent data for Centralia, WA →

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Centralia, WA?

Median rent in Centralia is $1,433 a month. A typical paramedic in Washington earns about $59,562 a year, which makes that rent 28.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a paramedic afford in Centralia?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Washington (~$59,562/yr) supports up to $1,489 a month in rent. Centralia's current median rent is $1,433/mo, which leaves a $56/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a paramedic in Washington works roughly 50 hours a month to cover Centralia's median rent of $1,433.

Where is rent cheaper than Centralia for a paramedic?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Ellensburg ($1,432/mo), Ellensburg ($1,431/mo), Spokane ($1,430/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Washington state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Centralia, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.