Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Washington, DC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 61.4% of gross income.
Washington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (District of Columbia 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.
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, DC →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Washington, DC?
Median rent in Washington is $2,532 a month. A typical nursing assistant in District of Columbia earns about $49,513 a year, which makes that rent 61.4% 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 Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in District of Columbia (~$49,513/yr) supports up to $1,238 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,532/mo, which is $1,294/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a nursing assistant in District of Columbia works roughly 106.4 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,532.