Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Iowa City, IA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.1% of gross income.
Iowa City 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 Iowa City, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Iowa City
View full rent data for Iowa City, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Iowa City, IA?
Median rent in Iowa City is $1,308 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Iowa earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 43.1% 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 Iowa City?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Iowa (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Iowa City's current median rent is $1,308/mo, which is $397/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Iowa City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Iowa works roughly 74.7 hours a month to cover Iowa City's median rent of $1,308.
Where is rent cheaper than Iowa City for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include West Des Moines ($1,304/mo), Urbandale ($1,298/mo), Bettendorf ($1,295/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.