Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Waite Park, MN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.3% of gross income.
Waite Park 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 Waite Park, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waite Park
View full rent data for Waite Park, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Waite Park, MN?
Median rent in Waite Park is $1,143 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Minnesota earns about $41,194 a year, which makes that rent 33.3% 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 Waite Park?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Minnesota (~$41,194/yr) supports up to $1,030 a month in rent. Waite Park's current median rent is $1,143/mo, which is $113/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Waite Park?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Minnesota works roughly 57.7 hours a month to cover Waite Park's median rent of $1,143.
Where is rent cheaper than Waite Park for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Mankato ($1,134/mo), Winona ($1,133/mo), Austin ($1,132/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.