Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in West Orange, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 71% of gross income.
West Orange rent: June 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 West Orange, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Orange
View full rent data for West Orange, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in West Orange, NJ?
Median rent in West Orange is $2,625 a month. A typical nursing assistant in New Jersey earns about $44,363 a year, which makes that rent 71% 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 Orange?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in New Jersey (~$44,363/yr) supports up to $1,109 a month in rent. West Orange's current median rent is $2,625/mo, which is $1,516/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in West Orange?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in New Jersey works roughly 123.1 hours a month to cover West Orange's median rent of $2,625.
Where is rent cheaper than West Orange for a nursing assistant?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Hackensack ($2,622/mo), North Brunswick ($2,622/mo), Lyndhurst ($2,620/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.