Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Lacey, WA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.6% of gross income.

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

Lacey median rent
$2,163/mo
Paramedic salary (Washington)
$59,562/yr
Rent as % of income
43.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,964, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,489/mo in rent. Lacey's median rent of $2,163 exceeds that threshold by $674/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 75.5 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 Lacey, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Milton, WA
$2,162/mo (43.6% of income)
Battle Ground, WA
$2,162/mo (43.6% of income)
Camas, WA
$2,162/mo (43.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lacey

View full rent data for Lacey, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Lacey, WA?

Median rent in Lacey is $2,163 a month. A typical paramedic in Washington earns about $59,562 a year, which makes that rent 43.6% 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 Lacey?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Washington (~$59,562/yr) supports up to $1,489 a month in rent. Lacey's current median rent is $2,163/mo, which is $674/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a paramedic in Washington works roughly 75.5 hours a month to cover Lacey's median rent of $2,163.

Where is rent cheaper than Lacey for a paramedic?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Milton ($2,162/mo), Battle Ground ($2,162/mo), Camas ($2,162/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 Lacey, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.