Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in San Diego, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 77.1% of gross income.
San Diego 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 San Diego, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for San Diego
View full rent data for San Diego, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in San Diego, CA?
Median rent in San Diego is $3,004 a month. A typical nursing assistant in California earns about $46,740 a year, which makes that rent 77.1% 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 San Diego?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in California (~$46,740/yr) supports up to $1,169 a month in rent. San Diego's current median rent is $3,004/mo, which is $1,835/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in San Diego?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in California works roughly 133.7 hours a month to cover San Diego's median rent of $3,004.
Where is rent cheaper than San Diego for a nursing assistant?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Huntington Beach ($3,003/mo), Pleasanton ($3,002/mo), Orange ($3,002/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.