Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Columbus, IN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.6% of gross income.
Columbus rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Indiana 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 Indiana cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, IN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Columbus, IN?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,385 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Indiana earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 45.6% 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Indiana (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,385/mo, which is $474/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Indiana works roughly 79.1 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,385.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Valparaiso ($1,383/mo), Valparaiso ($1,382/mo), Portage ($1,381/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.