Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Kensington, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 98.5% of gross income.
Kensington rent: July 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 Kensington, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kensington
View full rent data for Kensington, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Kensington, MD?
Median rent in Kensington is $3,513 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Maryland earns about $42,779 a year, which makes that rent 98.5% 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 Kensington?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Maryland (~$42,779/yr) supports up to $1,069 a month in rent. Kensington's current median rent is $3,513/mo, which is $2,444/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Kensington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Maryland works roughly 170.8 hours a month to cover Kensington's median rent of $3,513.
Where is rent cheaper than Kensington for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Potomac ($3,511/mo), Potomac ($3,509/mo), Potomac ($3,507/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.