Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Des Plaines, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 60.3% of gross income.
Des Plaines rent: June 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 Des Plaines, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Des Plaines
View full rent data for Des Plaines, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Des Plaines, IL?
Median rent in Des Plaines is $2,031 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Illinois earns about $40,402 a year, which makes that rent 60.3% 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 Des Plaines?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Illinois (~$40,402/yr) supports up to $1,010 a month in rent. Des Plaines's current median rent is $2,031/mo, which is $1,021/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Des Plaines?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Illinois works roughly 104.6 hours a month to cover Des Plaines's median rent of $2,031.
Where is rent cheaper than Des Plaines for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Lockport ($2,029/mo), Orland Park ($2,027/mo), Oak Park ($2,027/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.