Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Kelso, WA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.6% of gross income.
Kelso rent: September 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 Kelso, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kelso
View full rent data for Kelso, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Kelso, WA?
Median rent in Kelso is $1,469 a month. A typical paramedic in Washington earns about $59,562 a year, which makes that rent 29.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Kelso?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Washington (~$59,562/yr) supports up to $1,489 a month in rent. Kelso's current median rent is $1,469/mo, which leaves a $20/mo buffer.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Kelso?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a paramedic in Washington works roughly 51.3 hours a month to cover Kelso's median rent of $1,469.
Where is rent cheaper than Kelso for a paramedic?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Moses Lake ($1,468/mo), University Place ($1,467/mo), Chehalis ($1,465/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.