Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Emerald Isle, NC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 74.1% of gross income.
Emerald Isle rent: January 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina 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 North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Emerald Isle, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Emerald Isle
View full rent data for Emerald Isle, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Emerald Isle, NC?
Median rent in Emerald Isle is $2,300 a month. A typical nursing assistant in North Carolina earns about $37,233 a year, which makes that rent 74.1% 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 Emerald Isle?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in North Carolina (~$37,233/yr) supports up to $931 a month in rent. Emerald Isle's current median rent is $2,300/mo, which is $1,369/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Emerald Isle?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in North Carolina works roughly 128.5 hours a month to cover Emerald Isle's median rent of $2,300.
Where is rent cheaper than Emerald Isle for a nursing assistant?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Waxhaw ($2,299/mo), Waxhaw ($2,298/mo), Advance ($2,296/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.