Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in New Orleans, LA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 57.4% of gross income.
New Orleans 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 New Orleans, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for New Orleans
View full rent data for New Orleans, LA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in New Orleans, LA?
Median rent in New Orleans is $1,648 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Louisiana earns about $34,461 a year, which makes that rent 57.4% 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 New Orleans?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Louisiana (~$34,461/yr) supports up to $862 a month in rent. New Orleans's current median rent is $1,648/mo, which is $786/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in New Orleans?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in Louisiana works roughly 99.5 hours a month to cover New Orleans's median rent of $1,648.
Where is rent cheaper than New Orleans for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Ponchatoula ($1,642/mo), Zachary ($1,641/mo), Elmwood ($1,641/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.