Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Rochester, MN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.6% of gross income.
Rochester rent: June 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 Rochester, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rochester
View full rent data for Rochester, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Rochester, MN?
Median rent in Rochester is $1,702 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Minnesota earns about $41,194 a year, which makes that rent 49.6% 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 Rochester?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Minnesota (~$41,194/yr) supports up to $1,030 a month in rent. Rochester's current median rent is $1,702/mo, which is $672/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Rochester?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Minnesota works roughly 85.9 hours a month to cover Rochester's median rent of $1,702.
Where is rent cheaper than Rochester for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Oakdale ($1,701/mo), Coon Rapids ($1,700/mo), Saint Louis Park ($1,698/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.