Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Denver, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.4% of gross income.
Denver rent: July 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 Denver, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Denver
View full rent data for Denver, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Denver, CO?
Median rent in Denver is $1,884 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Colorado earns about $41,591 a year, which makes that rent 54.4% 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 Denver?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Colorado (~$41,591/yr) supports up to $1,040 a month in rent. Denver's current median rent is $1,884/mo, which is $844/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Denver?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Colorado works roughly 94.2 hours a month to cover Denver's median rent of $1,884.
Where is rent cheaper than Denver for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Thornton ($1,883/mo), Commerce City ($1,880/mo), Thornton ($1,880/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.