Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Columbus, OH?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.9% of gross income.
Columbus rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Ohio 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 Ohio cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, OH →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Columbus, OH?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,456 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Ohio earns about $37,233 a year, which makes that rent 46.9% 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Ohio (~$37,233/yr) supports up to $931 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,456/mo, which is $525/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Ohio works roughly 81.3 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,456.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Hamilton ($1,455/mo), Gahanna ($1,455/mo), Oxford ($1,455/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.