Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Lake Charles, LA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.7% of gross income.
Lake Charles rent: July 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 Lake Charles, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lake Charles
View full rent data for Lake Charles, LA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Lake Charles, LA?
Median rent in Lake Charles is $1,313 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Louisiana earns about $34,461 a year, which makes that rent 45.7% 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 Lake Charles?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Louisiana (~$34,461/yr) supports up to $862 a month in rent. Lake Charles's current median rent is $1,313/mo, which is $451/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Lake Charles?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in Louisiana works roughly 79.3 hours a month to cover Lake Charles's median rent of $1,313.
Where is rent cheaper than Lake Charles for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Baton Rouge ($1,312/mo), New Iberia ($1,309/mo), Houma ($1,308/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.