Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Santa Cruz, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 87.8% of gross income.
Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Cruz
View full rent data for Santa Cruz, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Santa Cruz, CA?
Median rent in Santa Cruz is $3,418 a month. A typical nursing assistant in California earns about $46,740 a year, which makes that rent 87.8% 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 Santa Cruz?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in California (~$46,740/yr) supports up to $1,169 a month in rent. Santa Cruz's current median rent is $3,418/mo, which is $2,249/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Santa Cruz?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in California works roughly 152.1 hours a month to cover Santa Cruz's median rent of $3,418.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Cruz for a nursing assistant?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Redondo Beach ($3,417/mo), Redondo Beach ($3,417/mo), Scotts Valley ($3,416/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.