Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Blue Island, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.7% of gross income.
Blue Island rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Blue Island, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Blue Island
View full rent data for Blue Island, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Blue Island, IL?
Median rent in Blue Island is $1,336 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Illinois earns about $40,402 a year, which makes that rent 39.7% 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 Blue Island?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Illinois (~$40,402/yr) supports up to $1,010 a month in rent. Blue Island's current median rent is $1,336/mo, which is $326/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Blue Island?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Illinois works roughly 68.8 hours a month to cover Blue Island's median rent of $1,336.
Where is rent cheaper than Blue Island for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Champaign ($1,335/mo), Arlington Heights ($1,333/mo), Cicero ($1,333/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.