Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Honolulu, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 74.6% of gross income.
Honolulu rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii 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 Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Honolulu, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Honolulu
View full rent data for Honolulu, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Honolulu, HI?
Median rent in Honolulu is $2,660 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Hawaii earns about $42,779 a year, which makes that rent 74.6% 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 Honolulu?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Hawaii (~$42,779/yr) supports up to $1,069 a month in rent. Honolulu's current median rent is $2,660/mo, which is $1,591/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Honolulu?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Hawaii works roughly 129.3 hours a month to cover Honolulu's median rent of $2,660.
Where is rent cheaper than Honolulu for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Waipahu ($2,657/mo), Mililani ($2,653/mo), Kailua ($2,650/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.