Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Sterling Heights, MI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.5% of gross income.
Sterling Heights rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Michigan 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 Michigan cities have lower median rent than Sterling Heights, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Sterling Heights
View full rent data for Sterling Heights, MI →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Sterling Heights, MI?
Median rent in Sterling Heights is $1,567 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Michigan earns about $38,026 a year, which makes that rent 49.5% 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 Sterling Heights?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Michigan (~$38,026/yr) supports up to $951 a month in rent. Sterling Heights's current median rent is $1,567/mo, which is $616/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Sterling Heights?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Michigan works roughly 85.7 hours a month to cover Sterling Heights's median rent of $1,567.
Where is rent cheaper than Sterling Heights for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Michigan cities with lower median rent include Redford ($1,566/mo), Chesterfield ($1,566/mo), Grand Haven ($1,565/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.