Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Elkhart, IN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38% of gross income.
Elkhart rent: July 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 Elkhart, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Elkhart
View full rent data for Elkhart, IN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Elkhart, IN?
Median rent in Elkhart is $1,155 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Indiana earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 38% 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 Elkhart?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Indiana (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Elkhart's current median rent is $1,155/mo, which is $244/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Elkhart?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Indiana works roughly 65.9 hours a month to cover Elkhart's median rent of $1,155.
Where is rent cheaper than Elkhart for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Fort Wayne ($1,152/mo), Fort Wayne ($1,149/mo), Fort Wayne ($1,147/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.