Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Waseca, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.8% of gross income.
Waseca rent: January 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 Waseca, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waseca
View full rent data for Waseca, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Waseca, MN?
Median rent in Waseca is $990 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Minnesota earns about $41,194 a year, which makes that rent 28.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a nursing assistant afford in Waseca?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Minnesota (~$41,194/yr) supports up to $1,030 a month in rent. Waseca's current median rent is $990/mo, which leaves a $40/mo buffer.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Waseca?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Minnesota works roughly 50 hours a month to cover Waseca's median rent of $990.
Where is rent cheaper than Waseca for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Austin ($988/mo), Austin ($969/mo), Albert Lea ($963/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.