Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Bakersfield, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.8% of gross income.
Bakersfield rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California 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 California cities have lower median rent than Bakersfield, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bakersfield
View full rent data for Bakersfield, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Bakersfield, CA?
Median rent in Bakersfield is $1,901 a month. A typical nursing assistant in California earns about $46,740 a year, which makes that rent 48.8% 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 Bakersfield?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in California (~$46,740/yr) supports up to $1,169 a month in rent. Bakersfield's current median rent is $1,901/mo, which is $732/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Bakersfield?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in California works roughly 84.6 hours a month to cover Bakersfield's median rent of $1,901.
Where is rent cheaper than Bakersfield for a nursing assistant?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Hanford ($1,900/mo), Big Bear City ($1,900/mo), Apple Valley ($1,900/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.