Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Ellensburg, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.6% of gross income.

Ellensburg rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Ellensburg median rent
$1,716/mo
Paramedic salary (Washington)
$59,562/yr
Rent as % of income
34.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,964, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,489/mo in rent. Ellensburg's median rent of $1,716 exceeds that threshold by $227/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 59.9 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 Ellensburg, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Parkland, WA
$1,714/mo (34.5% of income)
Lakewood, WA
$1,714/mo (34.5% of income)
Parkland, WA
$1,714/mo (34.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Ellensburg

View full rent data for Ellensburg, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Ellensburg, WA?

Median rent in Ellensburg is $1,716 a month. A typical paramedic in Washington earns about $59,562 a year, which makes that rent 34.6% 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 Ellensburg?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Washington (~$59,562/yr) supports up to $1,489 a month in rent. Ellensburg's current median rent is $1,716/mo, which is $227/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a paramedic in Washington works roughly 59.9 hours a month to cover Ellensburg's median rent of $1,716.

Where is rent cheaper than Ellensburg for a paramedic?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Parkland ($1,714/mo), Lakewood ($1,714/mo), Parkland ($1,714/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 Ellensburg, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.