Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Boulder, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 70.4% of gross income.
Boulder rent: June 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 Boulder, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boulder
View full rent data for Boulder, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Boulder, CO?
Median rent in Boulder is $2,439 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Colorado earns about $41,591 a year, which makes that rent 70.4% 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 Boulder?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Colorado (~$41,591/yr) supports up to $1,040 a month in rent. Boulder's current median rent is $2,439/mo, which is $1,399/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Boulder?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Colorado works roughly 122 hours a month to cover Boulder's median rent of $2,439.
Where is rent cheaper than Boulder for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Highlands Ranch ($2,435/mo), Highlands Ranch ($2,430/mo), Steamboat Springs ($2,429/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.