Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Van Buren, AR?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.2% of gross income.
Van Buren rent: June 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 Van Buren, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Van Buren
View full rent data for Van Buren, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Van Buren, AR?
Median rent in Van Buren is $1,019 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Arkansas earns about $32,876 a year, which makes that rent 37.2% 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 Van Buren?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Arkansas (~$32,876/yr) supports up to $822 a month in rent. Van Buren's current median rent is $1,019/mo, which is $197/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Van Buren?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a nursing assistant in Arkansas works roughly 64.5 hours a month to cover Van Buren's median rent of $1,019.
Where is rent cheaper than Van Buren for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Fort Smith ($1,017/mo), Fort Smith ($1,017/mo), Fort Smith ($1,017/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.