Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Emporia, KS?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 30% of gross income.
Emporia rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Emporia, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Emporia
View full rent data for Emporia, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Emporia, KS?
Median rent in Emporia is $890 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Kansas earns about $35,649 a year, which makes that rent 30% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a nursing assistant afford in Emporia?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Kansas (~$35,649/yr) supports up to $891 a month in rent. Emporia's current median rent is $890/mo, which leaves a $1/mo buffer.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Emporia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in Kansas works roughly 51.9 hours a month to cover Emporia's median rent of $890.
Where is rent cheaper than Emporia for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Pittsburg ($889/mo), Junction City ($887/mo), Newton ($885/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.