Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Melrose, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 77.5% of gross income.
Melrose rent: July 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 Melrose, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Melrose
View full rent data for Melrose, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Melrose, MA?
Median rent in Melrose is $2,969 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Massachusetts earns about $45,948 a year, which makes that rent 77.5% 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 Melrose?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Massachusetts (~$45,948/yr) supports up to $1,149 a month in rent. Melrose's current median rent is $2,969/mo, which is $1,820/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Melrose?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in Massachusetts works roughly 134.4 hours a month to cover Melrose's median rent of $2,969.
Where is rent cheaper than Melrose for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Amherst ($2,968/mo), Canton ($2,968/mo), Marblehead ($2,967/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.