Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Amherst, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 61.2% of gross income.
Amherst rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Amherst, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Amherst
View full rent data for Amherst, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Amherst, MA?
Median rent in Amherst is $2,344 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Massachusetts earns about $45,948 a year, which makes that rent 61.2% 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 Amherst?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Massachusetts (~$45,948/yr) supports up to $1,149 a month in rent. Amherst's current median rent is $2,344/mo, which is $1,195/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Amherst?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in Massachusetts works roughly 106.1 hours a month to cover Amherst's median rent of $2,344.
Where is rent cheaper than Amherst for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include North Attleboro ($2,343/mo), Haverhill ($2,342/mo), Mansfield ($2,342/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.