Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Tempe, AZ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.7% of gross income.
Tempe rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona 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 Arizona cities have lower median rent than Tempe, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tempe
View full rent data for Tempe, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Tempe, AZ?
Median rent in Tempe is $1,656 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Arizona earns about $38,422 a year, which makes that rent 51.7% 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 Tempe?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Arizona (~$38,422/yr) supports up to $961 a month in rent. Tempe's current median rent is $1,656/mo, which is $695/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Tempe?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Arizona works roughly 89.6 hours a month to cover Tempe's median rent of $1,656.
Where is rent cheaper than Tempe for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Casa Grande ($1,654/mo), Buckeye ($1,654/mo), Oro Valley ($1,653/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.