Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Billings, MT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.5% of gross income.
Billings rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Billings, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Billings
View full rent data for Billings, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Billings, MT?
Median rent in Billings is $1,437 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Montana earns about $34,857 a year, which makes that rent 49.5% 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 Billings?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Montana (~$34,857/yr) supports up to $871 a month in rent. Billings's current median rent is $1,437/mo, which is $566/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Billings?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in Montana works roughly 85.7 hours a month to cover Billings's median rent of $1,437.
Where is rent cheaper than Billings for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Missoula ($1,435/mo), Butte ($1,410/mo), Livingston ($1,406/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.