Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Aspen, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 520.5% of gross income.
Aspen rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Aspen, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Aspen
View full rent data for Aspen, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Aspen, CO?
Median rent in Aspen is $18,041 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Colorado earns about $41,591 a year, which makes that rent 520.5% 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 Aspen?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Colorado (~$41,591/yr) supports up to $1,040 a month in rent. Aspen's current median rent is $18,041/mo, which is $17,001/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Aspen?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Colorado works roughly 902.2 hours a month to cover Aspen's median rent of $18,041.
Where is rent cheaper than Aspen for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Basalt ($5,900/mo), Vail ($5,250/mo), Basalt ($5,050/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.