Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Carlsbad, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.7% of gross income.
Carlsbad rent: July 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 Carlsbad, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Carlsbad
View full rent data for Carlsbad, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Carlsbad, NM?
Median rent in Carlsbad is $1,654 a month. A typical nursing assistant in New Mexico earns about $35,649 a year, which makes that rent 55.7% 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 Carlsbad?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in New Mexico (~$35,649/yr) supports up to $891 a month in rent. Carlsbad's current median rent is $1,654/mo, which is $763/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Carlsbad?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in New Mexico works roughly 96.5 hours a month to cover Carlsbad's median rent of $1,654.
Where is rent cheaper than Carlsbad for a nursing assistant?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Santa Teresa ($1,647/mo), Los Lunas ($1,645/mo), Santa Teresa ($1,623/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.