Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Waynesville, NC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.2% of gross income.
Waynesville 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 Waynesville, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waynesville
View full rent data for Waynesville, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Waynesville, NC?
Median rent in Waynesville is $1,559 a month. A typical nursing assistant in North Carolina earns about $37,233 a year, which makes that rent 50.2% 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 Waynesville?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in North Carolina (~$37,233/yr) supports up to $931 a month in rent. Waynesville's current median rent is $1,559/mo, which is $628/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Waynesville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in North Carolina works roughly 87.1 hours a month to cover Waynesville's median rent of $1,559.
Where is rent cheaper than Waynesville for a nursing assistant?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Kings Mountain ($1,558/mo), Arden ($1,555/mo), Aberdeen ($1,554/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.