Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Merrillville, IN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.5% of gross income.
Merrillville 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 Merrillville, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Merrillville
View full rent data for Merrillville, IN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Merrillville, IN?
Median rent in Merrillville is $1,533 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Indiana earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 50.5% 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 Merrillville?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Indiana (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Merrillville's current median rent is $1,533/mo, which is $622/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Merrillville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Indiana works roughly 87.5 hours a month to cover Merrillville's median rent of $1,533.
Where is rent cheaper than Merrillville for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Lawrence ($1,532/mo), Greenfield ($1,532/mo), Speedway ($1,530/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.