Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Petaluma, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 75.1% of gross income.
Petaluma rent: June 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 Petaluma, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Petaluma
View full rent data for Petaluma, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Petaluma, CA?
Median rent in Petaluma is $2,927 a month. A typical nursing assistant in California earns about $46,740 a year, which makes that rent 75.1% 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 Petaluma?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in California (~$46,740/yr) supports up to $1,169 a month in rent. Petaluma's current median rent is $2,927/mo, which is $1,758/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Petaluma?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in California works roughly 130.3 hours a month to cover Petaluma's median rent of $2,927.
Where is rent cheaper than Petaluma for a nursing assistant?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Duarte ($2,926/mo), Burbank ($2,925/mo), Sonoma ($2,925/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.