Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Waterbury, CT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.2% of gross income.
Waterbury rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Connecticut 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 Connecticut cities have lower median rent than Waterbury, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waterbury
View full rent data for Waterbury, CT →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Waterbury, CT?
Median rent in Waterbury is $1,534 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Connecticut earns about $43,571 a year, which makes that rent 42.2% 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 Waterbury?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Connecticut (~$43,571/yr) supports up to $1,089 a month in rent. Waterbury's current median rent is $1,534/mo, which is $445/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Waterbury?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Connecticut works roughly 73.2 hours a month to cover Waterbury's median rent of $1,534.
Where is rent cheaper than Waterbury for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Connecticut cities with lower median rent include Killingly ($1,533/mo), Hartford ($1,532/mo), Bristol ($1,532/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.