Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Madison, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.3% of gross income.
Madison rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Madison, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Madison
View full rent data for Madison, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Madison, WI?
Median rent in Madison is $1,656 a month. A typical paramedic in Wisconsin earns about $50,521 a year, which makes that rent 39.3% 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 Madison?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Wisconsin (~$50,521/yr) supports up to $1,263 a month in rent. Madison's current median rent is $1,656/mo, which is $393/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Madison?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Wisconsin works roughly 68.2 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $1,656.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a paramedic?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Kenosha ($1,655/mo), Middleton ($1,650/mo), Saint Francis ($1,649/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.