Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Santa Teresa, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.8% of gross income.
Santa Teresa rent: June 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 Teresa, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Teresa
View full rent data for Santa Teresa, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Santa Teresa, NM?
Median rent in Santa Teresa is $1,598 a month. A typical nursing assistant in New Mexico earns about $35,649 a year, which makes that rent 53.8% 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 Teresa?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in New Mexico (~$35,649/yr) supports up to $891 a month in rent. Santa Teresa's current median rent is $1,598/mo, which is $707/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Santa Teresa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in New Mexico works roughly 93.2 hours a month to cover Santa Teresa's median rent of $1,598.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Teresa for a nursing assistant?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Carlsbad ($1,578/mo), Carlsbad ($1,568/mo), Carlsbad ($1,556/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.