Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Salem, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48% of gross income.
Salem rent: March 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Salem, NJ?
Median rent in Salem is $1,775 a month. A typical nursing assistant in New Jersey earns about $44,363 a year, which makes that rent 48% 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 Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in New Jersey (~$44,363/yr) supports up to $1,109 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,775/mo, which is $666/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in New Jersey works roughly 83.2 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,775.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a nursing assistant?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Haddonfield ($1,774/mo), Orange ($1,774/mo), Budd Lake ($1,773/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.