Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Anchorage, AK?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.8% of gross income.
Anchorage rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alaska state estimate).
About rent and a nursing assistant salary
Nursing assistant (CNA) pay falls below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in nearly every US metro, which is the central tension behind the widely studied direct-care workforce affordability gap. At the national-average CNA salary, the 30% rule supports about $990 a month in rent — below median rent in most cities. The per-city pages quantify how far below.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Alaska cities have lower median rent than Anchorage, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Anchorage
View full rent data for Anchorage, AK →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Anchorage, AK?
Median rent in Anchorage is $1,730 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Alaska earns about $44,363 a year, which makes that rent 46.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a nursing assistant afford in Anchorage?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Alaska (~$44,363/yr) supports up to $1,109 a month in rent. Anchorage's current median rent is $1,730/mo, which is $621/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Anchorage?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Alaska works roughly 81.1 hours a month to cover Anchorage's median rent of $1,730.
Where is rent cheaper than Anchorage for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Alaska cities with lower median rent include Wasilla ($1,723/mo), Fairbanks ($1,720/mo), Wasilla ($1,718/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.