Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Des Moines, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.6% of gross income.
Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Moines
View full rent data for Des Moines, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Des Moines, WA?
Median rent in Des Moines is $2,013 a month. A typical paramedic in Washington earns about $59,562 a year, which makes that rent 40.6% 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 Des Moines?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Washington (~$59,562/yr) supports up to $1,489 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $2,013/mo, which is $524/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Des Moines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a paramedic in Washington works roughly 70.3 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $2,013.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a paramedic?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Olympia ($2,012/mo), Burlington ($2,011/mo), Ridgefield ($2,011/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.