Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Fort Dodge, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.8% of gross income.
Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fort Dodge
View full rent data for Fort Dodge, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Fort Dodge, IA?
Median rent in Fort Dodge is $843 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Iowa earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 27.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a nursing assistant afford in Fort Dodge?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Iowa (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Fort Dodge's current median rent is $843/mo, which leaves a $68/mo buffer.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Fort Dodge?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Iowa works roughly 48.1 hours a month to cover Fort Dodge's median rent of $843.
Where is rent cheaper than Fort Dodge for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Waterloo ($842/mo), Waterloo ($840/mo), Ames ($839/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.