Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Waukesha, WI?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.4% of gross income.

Waukesha rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).

Waukesha median rent
$1,490/mo
Paramedic salary (Wisconsin)
$50,521/yr
Rent as % of income
35.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,210, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,263/mo in rent. Waukesha's median rent of $1,490 exceeds that threshold by $227/mo, putting a paramedic salary into the rent-burdened range here. A paramedic works roughly 61.3 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Waukesha, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:

Milwaukee, WI
$1,469/mo (34.9% of income)
Milwaukee, WI
$1,461/mo (34.7% of income)
West Allis, WI
$1,454/mo (34.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Waukesha

View full rent data for Waukesha, WI

Frequently asked questions

Can a paramedic afford rent in Waukesha, WI?

Median rent in Waukesha is $1,490 a month. A typical paramedic in Wisconsin earns about $50,521 a year, which makes that rent 35.4% 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 Waukesha?

Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in Wisconsin (~$50,521/yr) supports up to $1,263 a month in rent. Waukesha's current median rent is $1,490/mo, which is $227/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a paramedic in Wisconsin works roughly 61.3 hours a month to cover Waukesha's median rent of $1,490.

Where is rent cheaper than Waukesha for a paramedic?

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Milwaukee ($1,469/mo), Milwaukee ($1,461/mo), West Allis ($1,454/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a paramedic salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Wisconsin state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Waukesha, WI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.