Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Surf City, NC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 74% of gross income.
Surf City rent: July 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 Surf City, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Surf City
View full rent data for Surf City, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Surf City, NC?
Median rent in Surf City is $2,296 a month. A typical nursing assistant in North Carolina earns about $37,233 a year, which makes that rent 74% 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 Surf City?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in North Carolina (~$37,233/yr) supports up to $931 a month in rent. Surf City's current median rent is $2,296/mo, which is $1,365/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Surf City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in North Carolina works roughly 128.3 hours a month to cover Surf City's median rent of $2,296.
Where is rent cheaper than Surf City for a nursing assistant?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Harrisburg ($2,294/mo), Mc Leansville ($2,293/mo), Carolina Beach ($2,292/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.