Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Mankato, MN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.6% of gross income.
Mankato rent: September 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 Mankato, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Mankato
View full rent data for Mankato, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Mankato, MN?
Median rent in Mankato is $1,257 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Minnesota earns about $41,194 a year, which makes that rent 36.6% 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 Mankato?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Minnesota (~$41,194/yr) supports up to $1,030 a month in rent. Mankato's current median rent is $1,257/mo, which is $227/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Mankato?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Minnesota works roughly 63.5 hours a month to cover Mankato's median rent of $1,257.
Where is rent cheaper than Mankato for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Winona ($1,255/mo), Rochester ($1,244/mo), Buffalo ($1,243/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.