Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Albert Lea, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28% of gross income.
Albert Lea rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota 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 Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Albert Lea, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Albert Lea
View full rent data for Albert Lea, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Albert Lea, MN?
Median rent in Albert Lea is $960 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Minnesota earns about $41,194 a year, which makes that rent 28% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a nursing assistant afford in Albert Lea?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Minnesota (~$41,194/yr) supports up to $1,030 a month in rent. Albert Lea's current median rent is $960/mo, which leaves a $70/mo buffer.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Albert Lea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Minnesota works roughly 48.5 hours a month to cover Albert Lea's median rent of $960.
Where is rent cheaper than Albert Lea for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Austin ($947/mo), Saint Cloud ($905/mo), Saint Cloud ($872/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.