Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Missoula, MT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.4% of gross income.
Missoula rent: June 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 Missoula, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Missoula
View full rent data for Missoula, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Missoula, MT?
Median rent in Missoula is $1,550 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Montana earns about $34,857 a year, which makes that rent 53.4% 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 Missoula?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Montana (~$34,857/yr) supports up to $871 a month in rent. Missoula's current median rent is $1,550/mo, which is $679/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Missoula?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in Montana works roughly 92.5 hours a month to cover Missoula's median rent of $1,550.
Where is rent cheaper than Missoula for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Helena ($1,491/mo), Helena ($1,490/mo), Helena ($1,490/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.