Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Opelika, AL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 56.4% of gross income.
Opelika 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 Opelika, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Opelika
View full rent data for Opelika, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Opelika, AL?
Median rent in Opelika is $1,600 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Alabama earns about $34,065 a year, which makes that rent 56.4% 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 Opelika?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Alabama (~$34,065/yr) supports up to $852 a month in rent. Opelika's current median rent is $1,600/mo, which is $748/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Opelika?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a nursing assistant in Alabama works roughly 97.7 hours a month to cover Opelika's median rent of $1,600.
Where is rent cheaper than Opelika for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Northport ($1,599/mo), Fultondale ($1,599/mo), Auburn ($1,597/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.