Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Cortland, NY?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.3% of gross income.
Cortland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New York 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 York cities have lower median rent than Cortland, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cortland
View full rent data for Cortland, NY →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Cortland, NY?
Median rent in Cortland is $1,367 a month. A typical nursing assistant in New York earns about $45,155 a year, which makes that rent 36.3% 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 Cortland?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in New York (~$45,155/yr) supports up to $1,129 a month in rent. Cortland's current median rent is $1,367/mo, which is $238/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Cortland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a nursing assistant in New York works roughly 63 hours a month to cover Cortland's median rent of $1,367.
Where is rent cheaper than Cortland for a nursing assistant?
Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Buffalo ($1,365/mo), Utica ($1,365/mo), Utica ($1,364/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.