Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Merced, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.4% of gross income.
Merced 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 Merced, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Merced
View full rent data for Merced, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Merced, CA?
Median rent in Merced is $2,041 a month. A typical nursing assistant in California earns about $46,740 a year, which makes that rent 52.4% 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 Merced?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in California (~$46,740/yr) supports up to $1,169 a month in rent. Merced's current median rent is $2,041/mo, which is $872/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Merced?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in California works roughly 90.8 hours a month to cover Merced's median rent of $2,041.
Where is rent cheaper than Merced for a nursing assistant?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Grand Terrace ($2,040/mo), Turlock ($2,040/mo), Fair Oaks ($2,040/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.