Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Elgin, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 57.2% of gross income.
Elgin 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 Elgin, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Elgin
View full rent data for Elgin, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Elgin, IL?
Median rent in Elgin is $1,925 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Illinois earns about $40,402 a year, which makes that rent 57.2% 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 Elgin?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Illinois (~$40,402/yr) supports up to $1,010 a month in rent. Elgin's current median rent is $1,925/mo, which is $915/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Elgin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Illinois works roughly 99.1 hours a month to cover Elgin's median rent of $1,925.
Where is rent cheaper than Elgin for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Glendale Heights ($1,924/mo), Arlington Heights ($1,924/mo), Glendale Heights ($1,924/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.