Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Helena, MT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 56.1% of gross income.
Helena rent: September 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 Helena, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Helena
View full rent data for Helena, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Helena, MT?
Median rent in Helena is $1,630 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Montana earns about $34,857 a year, which makes that rent 56.1% 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 Helena?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Montana (~$34,857/yr) supports up to $871 a month in rent. Helena's current median rent is $1,630/mo, which is $759/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Helena?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in Montana works roughly 97.3 hours a month to cover Helena's median rent of $1,630.
Where is rent cheaper than Helena for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Missoula ($1,622/mo), Missoula ($1,619/mo), Missoula ($1,618/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.