Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Santa Fe, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 63.4% of gross income.
Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Fe
View full rent data for Santa Fe, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Santa Fe, NM?
Median rent in Santa Fe is $1,882 a month. A typical nursing assistant in New Mexico earns about $35,649 a year, which makes that rent 63.4% 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 Santa Fe?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in New Mexico (~$35,649/yr) supports up to $891 a month in rent. Santa Fe's current median rent is $1,882/mo, which is $991/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Santa Fe?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in New Mexico works roughly 109.8 hours a month to cover Santa Fe's median rent of $1,882.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Fe for a nursing assistant?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Rio Rancho ($1,875/mo), Rio Rancho ($1,875/mo), Rio Rancho ($1,871/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.