Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Columbus, MS?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.6% of gross income.
Columbus rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Mississippi 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 Mississippi cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Columbus, MS?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,326 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Mississippi earns about $32,084 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Mississippi (~$32,084/yr) supports up to $802 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,326/mo, which is $524/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a nursing assistant in Mississippi works roughly 86 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,326.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Gautier ($1,324/mo), Hattiesburg ($1,321/mo), Biloxi ($1,318/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.