Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Helena, AL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 67.1% of gross income.
Helena rent: September 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 Helena, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Helena
View full rent data for Helena, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Helena, AL?
Median rent in Helena is $1,905 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Alabama earns about $34,065 a year, which makes that rent 67.1% 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 Helena?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Alabama (~$34,065/yr) supports up to $852 a month in rent. Helena's current median rent is $1,905/mo, which is $1,053/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Helena?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a nursing assistant in Alabama works roughly 116.3 hours a month to cover Helena's median rent of $1,905.
Where is rent cheaper than Helena for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Gulf Shores ($1,903/mo), Gulf Shores ($1,901/mo), Vestavia Hills ($1,891/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.