Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Lake Wales, FL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.7% of gross income.
Lake Wales rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida 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 Florida cities have lower median rent than Lake Wales, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lake Wales
View full rent data for Lake Wales, FL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Lake Wales, FL?
Median rent in Lake Wales is $1,586 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Florida earns about $36,837 a year, which makes that rent 51.7% 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 Lake Wales?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Florida (~$36,837/yr) supports up to $921 a month in rent. Lake Wales's current median rent is $1,586/mo, which is $665/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Lake Wales?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Florida works roughly 89.6 hours a month to cover Lake Wales's median rent of $1,586.
Where is rent cheaper than Lake Wales for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Davenport ($1,585/mo), Egypt Lake-Leto ($1,585/mo), Leesburg ($1,584/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.