Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Columbus, NE?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.1% of gross income.
Columbus rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Nebraska 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 Nebraska cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, NE →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Columbus, NE?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,447 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Nebraska earns about $36,837 a year, which makes that rent 47.1% 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Nebraska (~$36,837/yr) supports up to $921 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,447/mo, which is $526/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Nebraska works roughly 81.7 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,447.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Nebraska cities with lower median rent include Omaha ($1,446/mo), Kearney ($1,445/mo), La Vista ($1,442/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.