Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Merritt Island, FL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 68.1% of gross income.
Merritt Island 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 Merritt Island, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Merritt Island
View full rent data for Merritt Island, FL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Merritt Island, FL?
Median rent in Merritt Island is $2,092 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Florida earns about $36,837 a year, which makes that rent 68.1% 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 Merritt Island?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Florida (~$36,837/yr) supports up to $921 a month in rent. Merritt Island's current median rent is $2,092/mo, which is $1,171/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Merritt Island?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Florida works roughly 118.1 hours a month to cover Merritt Island's median rent of $2,092.
Where is rent cheaper than Merritt Island for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Dunedin ($2,091/mo), Vero Beach ($2,091/mo), Saint Augustine Beach ($2,090/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.