Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Shelby, NC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.7% of gross income.
Shelby rent: June 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 Shelby, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Shelby
View full rent data for Shelby, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Shelby, NC?
Median rent in Shelby is $1,108 a month. A typical nursing assistant in North Carolina earns about $37,233 a year, which makes that rent 35.7% 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 Shelby?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in North Carolina (~$37,233/yr) supports up to $931 a month in rent. Shelby's current median rent is $1,108/mo, which is $177/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Shelby?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in North Carolina works roughly 61.9 hours a month to cover Shelby's median rent of $1,108.
Where is rent cheaper than Shelby for a nursing assistant?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Henderson ($1,101/mo), Cherryville ($1,100/mo), Henderson ($1,097/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.