Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Meridian, MS?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.2% of gross income.
Meridian rent: June 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 Meridian, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Meridian
View full rent data for Meridian, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Meridian, MS?
Median rent in Meridian is $1,423 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Mississippi earns about $32,084 a year, which makes that rent 53.2% 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 Meridian?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Mississippi (~$32,084/yr) supports up to $802 a month in rent. Meridian's current median rent is $1,423/mo, which is $621/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Meridian?
At an hourly equivalent of about $15 an hour, a nursing assistant in Mississippi works roughly 92.3 hours a month to cover Meridian's median rent of $1,423.
Where is rent cheaper than Meridian for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Bay Saint Louis ($1,422/mo), Pearl ($1,420/mo), Gulf Hills ($1,420/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.