Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Fargo, ND?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.2% of gross income.
Fargo rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota 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 Dakota cities have lower median rent than Fargo, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fargo
View full rent data for Fargo, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Fargo, ND?
Median rent in Fargo is $1,094 a month. A typical nursing assistant in North Dakota earns about $38,422 a year, which makes that rent 34.2% 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 Fargo?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in North Dakota (~$38,422/yr) supports up to $961 a month in rent. Fargo's current median rent is $1,094/mo, which is $133/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Fargo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in North Dakota works roughly 59.2 hours a month to cover Fargo's median rent of $1,094.
Where is rent cheaper than Fargo for a nursing assistant?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include West Fargo ($1,089/mo), Grand Forks ($1,089/mo), Grand Forks ($1,082/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.