Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Steilacoom, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.4% of gross income.

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

Steilacoom median rent
$1,805/mo
Paramedic salary (Washington)
$59,562/yr
Rent as % of income
36.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,964, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,489/mo in rent. Steilacoom's median rent of $1,805 exceeds that threshold by $316/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 63 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 Steilacoom, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Shelton, WA
$1,803/mo (36.3% of income)
Fife, WA
$1,803/mo (36.3% of income)
Vancouver, WA
$1,803/mo (36.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Steilacoom

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Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Steilacoom, WA?

Median rent in Steilacoom is $1,805 a month. A typical paramedic in Washington earns about $59,562 a year, which makes that rent 36.4% 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 Steilacoom?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Washington (~$59,562/yr) supports up to $1,489 a month in rent. Steilacoom's current median rent is $1,805/mo, which is $316/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a paramedic in Washington works roughly 63 hours a month to cover Steilacoom's median rent of $1,805.

Where is rent cheaper than Steilacoom for a paramedic?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Shelton ($1,803/mo), Fife ($1,803/mo), Vancouver ($1,803/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 Steilacoom, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.