Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Highland Park, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 90.1% of gross income.
Highland Park 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 Highland Park, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Highland Park
View full rent data for Highland Park, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Highland Park, IL?
Median rent in Highland Park is $3,034 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Illinois earns about $40,402 a year, which makes that rent 90.1% 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 Park?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Illinois (~$40,402/yr) supports up to $1,010 a month in rent. Highland Park's current median rent is $3,034/mo, which is $2,024/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Highland Park?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Illinois works roughly 156.2 hours a month to cover Highland Park's median rent of $3,034.
Where is rent cheaper than Highland Park for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Northbrook ($3,020/mo), Orland Park ($3,018/mo), Northbrook ($3,018/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.