Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in California, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 65.8% of gross income.
California rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland 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 Maryland cities have lower median rent than California, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for California
View full rent data for California, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in California, MD?
Median rent in California is $2,346 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Maryland earns about $42,779 a year, which makes that rent 65.8% 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 California?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Maryland (~$42,779/yr) supports up to $1,069 a month in rent. California's current median rent is $2,346/mo, which is $1,277/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in California?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Maryland works roughly 114.1 hours a month to cover California's median rent of $2,346.
Where is rent cheaper than California for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Hanover ($2,345/mo), Elkridge ($2,345/mo), Pasadena ($2,342/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.