Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Chatham, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 90.9% of gross income.
Chatham rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey 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 New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Chatham, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chatham
View full rent data for Chatham, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Chatham, NJ?
Median rent in Chatham is $3,362 a month. A typical nursing assistant in New Jersey earns about $44,363 a year, which makes that rent 90.9% 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 Chatham?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in New Jersey (~$44,363/yr) supports up to $1,109 a month in rent. Chatham's current median rent is $3,362/mo, which is $2,253/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Chatham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in New Jersey works roughly 157.6 hours a month to cover Chatham's median rent of $3,362.
Where is rent cheaper than Chatham for a nursing assistant?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Berkeley Heights ($3,357/mo), Madison ($3,354/mo), Berkeley Heights ($3,354/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.