Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Clay, AL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 59.4% of gross income.
Clay rent: July 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 Clay, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Clay
View full rent data for Clay, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Clay, AL?
Median rent in Clay is $1,686 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Alabama earns about $34,065 a year, which makes that rent 59.4% 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 Clay?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Alabama (~$34,065/yr) supports up to $852 a month in rent. Clay's current median rent is $1,686/mo, which is $834/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Clay?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a nursing assistant in Alabama works roughly 102.9 hours a month to cover Clay's median rent of $1,686.
Where is rent cheaper than Clay for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Harvest ($1,685/mo), Vestavia Hills ($1,685/mo), Margaret ($1,685/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.