Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Ames, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37% of gross income.
Ames rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ames, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ames
View full rent data for Ames, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Ames, IA?
Median rent in Ames is $1,125 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Iowa earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 37% 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 Ames?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Iowa (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Ames's current median rent is $1,125/mo, which is $214/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Ames?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Iowa works roughly 64.2 hours a month to cover Ames's median rent of $1,125.
Where is rent cheaper than Ames for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,123/mo), Des Moines ($1,123/mo), Dubuque ($1,123/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.