Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Boston, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 90.6% of gross income.
Boston 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 Boston, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boston
View full rent data for Boston, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Boston, MA?
Median rent in Boston is $3,469 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Massachusetts earns about $45,948 a year, which makes that rent 90.6% 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 Boston?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Massachusetts (~$45,948/yr) supports up to $1,149 a month in rent. Boston's current median rent is $3,469/mo, which is $2,320/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Boston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in Massachusetts works roughly 157 hours a month to cover Boston's median rent of $3,469.
Where is rent cheaper than Boston for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Winchester ($3,462/mo), Cambridge ($3,456/mo), Hingham ($3,454/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.