Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Topeka, KS?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.2% of gross income.
Topeka rent: June 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 Topeka, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Topeka
View full rent data for Topeka, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Topeka, KS?
Median rent in Topeka is $1,283 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Kansas earns about $35,649 a year, which makes that rent 43.2% 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 Topeka?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Kansas (~$35,649/yr) supports up to $891 a month in rent. Topeka's current median rent is $1,283/mo, which is $392/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Topeka?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in Kansas works roughly 74.9 hours a month to cover Topeka's median rent of $1,283.
Where is rent cheaper than Topeka for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Kansas City ($1,274/mo), Leavenworth ($1,273/mo), Overland Park ($1,269/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.