Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in West Fargo, ND?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.2% of gross income.

West Fargo rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota state estimate).

West Fargo median rent
$1,350/mo
Nursing Assistant salary (North Dakota)
$38,422/yr
Rent as % of income
42.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,202, and the 30% rule supports up to $961/mo in rent. West Fargo's median rent of $1,350 exceeds that threshold by $389/mo, putting a nursing assistant salary into the rent-burdened range here. A nursing assistant works roughly 73.1 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 West Fargo, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:

Bismarck, ND
$1,349/mo (42.1% of income)
Bismarck, ND
$1,340/mo (41.9% of income)
Bismarck, ND
$1,332/mo (41.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for West Fargo

View full rent data for West Fargo, ND

Frequently asked questions

Can a nursing assistant afford rent in West Fargo, ND?

Median rent in West Fargo is $1,350 a month. A typical nursing assistant in North Dakota earns about $38,422 a year, which makes that rent 42.2% 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 West Fargo?

Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in North Dakota (~$38,422/yr) supports up to $961 a month in rent. West Fargo's current median rent is $1,350/mo, which is $389/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in West Fargo?

At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in North Dakota works roughly 73.1 hours a month to cover West Fargo's median rent of $1,350.

Where is rent cheaper than West Fargo for a nursing assistant?

Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Bismarck ($1,349/mo), Bismarck ($1,340/mo), Bismarck ($1,332/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived North Dakota state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for West Fargo, ND. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.