Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in East Alton, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.2% of gross income.
East Alton rent: January 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 East Alton, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for East Alton
View full rent data for East Alton, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in East Alton, IL?
Median rent in East Alton is $850 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Illinois earns about $40,402 a year, which makes that rent 25.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a nursing assistant afford in East Alton?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Illinois (~$40,402/yr) supports up to $1,010 a month in rent. East Alton's current median rent is $850/mo, which leaves a $160/mo buffer.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in East Alton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Illinois works roughly 43.8 hours a month to cover East Alton's median rent of $850.
Where is rent cheaper than East Alton for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Pekin ($843/mo), Danville ($843/mo), Rantoul ($841/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.