Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Highland, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.
Highland rent: April 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 Highland, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Highland
View full rent data for Highland, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Highland, IL?
Median rent in Highland is $1,200 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Illinois earns about $40,402 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Highland?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Illinois (~$40,402/yr) supports up to $1,010 a month in rent. Highland's current median rent is $1,200/mo, which is $190/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Highland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Illinois works roughly 61.8 hours a month to cover Highland's median rent of $1,200.
Where is rent cheaper than Highland for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Rockford ($1,199/mo), Peoria ($1,194/mo), Shiloh ($1,192/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.