Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Sacramento, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.2% of gross income.
Sacramento 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 Sacramento, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sacramento
View full rent data for Sacramento, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Sacramento, CA?
Median rent in Sacramento is $2,071 a month. A typical nursing assistant in California earns about $46,740 a year, which makes that rent 53.2% 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 Sacramento?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in California (~$46,740/yr) supports up to $1,169 a month in rent. Sacramento's current median rent is $2,071/mo, which is $902/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Sacramento?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in California works roughly 92.2 hours a month to cover Sacramento's median rent of $2,071.
Where is rent cheaper than Sacramento for a nursing assistant?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Ukiah ($2,070/mo), Lynwood ($2,070/mo), Ukiah ($2,070/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.