Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Albuquerque, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.9% of gross income.
Albuquerque rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico 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 Mexico cities have lower median rent than Albuquerque, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Albuquerque
View full rent data for Albuquerque, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Albuquerque, NM?
Median rent in Albuquerque is $1,452 a month. A typical nursing assistant in New Mexico earns about $35,649 a year, which makes that rent 48.9% 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 Albuquerque?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in New Mexico (~$35,649/yr) supports up to $891 a month in rent. Albuquerque's current median rent is $1,452/mo, which is $561/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Albuquerque?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in New Mexico works roughly 84.7 hours a month to cover Albuquerque's median rent of $1,452.
Where is rent cheaper than Albuquerque for a nursing assistant?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Alamogordo ($1,439/mo), Hobbs ($1,439/mo), Las Cruces ($1,439/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.