Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Birmingham, AL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.9% of gross income.
Birmingham rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alabama 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 Alabama cities have lower median rent than Birmingham, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Birmingham
View full rent data for Birmingham, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Birmingham, AL?
Median rent in Birmingham is $1,359 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Alabama earns about $34,065 a year, which makes that rent 47.9% 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 Birmingham?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Alabama (~$34,065/yr) supports up to $852 a month in rent. Birmingham's current median rent is $1,359/mo, which is $507/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Birmingham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a nursing assistant in Alabama works roughly 83 hours a month to cover Birmingham's median rent of $1,359.
Where is rent cheaper than Birmingham for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Athens ($1,358/mo), Athens ($1,358/mo), Millbrook ($1,358/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.