Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Essex, MD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.9% of gross income.
Essex 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 Essex, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Essex
View full rent data for Essex, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Essex, MD?
Median rent in Essex is $1,352 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Maryland earns about $42,779 a year, which makes that rent 37.9% 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 Essex?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Maryland (~$42,779/yr) supports up to $1,069 a month in rent. Essex's current median rent is $1,352/mo, which is $283/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Essex?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Maryland works roughly 65.7 hours a month to cover Essex's median rent of $1,352.
Where is rent cheaper than Essex for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Hagerstown ($1,348/mo), Hagerstown ($1,345/mo), Hagerstown ($1,344/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.