Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Lafayette, LA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.3% of gross income.
Lafayette rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana 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 Louisiana cities have lower median rent than Lafayette, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lafayette
View full rent data for Lafayette, LA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Lafayette, LA?
Median rent in Lafayette is $1,329 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Louisiana earns about $34,461 a year, which makes that rent 46.3% 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 Lafayette?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Louisiana (~$34,461/yr) supports up to $862 a month in rent. Lafayette's current median rent is $1,329/mo, which is $467/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Lafayette?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in Louisiana works roughly 80.2 hours a month to cover Lafayette's median rent of $1,329.
Where is rent cheaper than Lafayette for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Houma ($1,327/mo), Chalmette ($1,325/mo), Houma ($1,318/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.