Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Austin, AR?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.3% of gross income.
Austin rent: August 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas 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 Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Austin, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Austin
View full rent data for Austin, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Austin, AR?
Median rent in Austin is $1,048 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Arkansas earns about $32,876 a year, which makes that rent 38.3% 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 Austin?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Arkansas (~$32,876/yr) supports up to $822 a month in rent. Austin's current median rent is $1,048/mo, which is $226/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Austin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a nursing assistant in Arkansas works roughly 66.3 hours a month to cover Austin's median rent of $1,048.
Where is rent cheaper than Austin for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Fort Smith ($1,047/mo), Fort Smith ($1,045/mo), Fort Smith ($1,045/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.