Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Urbandale, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.6% of gross income.
Urbandale rent: July 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 Urbandale, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Urbandale
View full rent data for Urbandale, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Urbandale, IA?
Median rent in Urbandale is $1,203 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Iowa earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 39.6% 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 Urbandale?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Iowa (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Urbandale's current median rent is $1,203/mo, which is $292/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Urbandale?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Iowa works roughly 68.7 hours a month to cover Urbandale's median rent of $1,203.
Where is rent cheaper than Urbandale for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Coralville ($1,199/mo), Pleasant Hill ($1,196/mo), Council Bluffs ($1,195/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.