Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Tulsa, OK?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.8% of gross income.
Tulsa rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma cities have lower median rent than Tulsa, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tulsa
View full rent data for Tulsa, OK →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Tulsa, OK?
Median rent in Tulsa is $1,272 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Oklahoma earns about $34,857 a year, which makes that rent 43.8% 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 Tulsa?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Oklahoma (~$34,857/yr) supports up to $871 a month in rent. Tulsa's current median rent is $1,272/mo, which is $401/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Tulsa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in Oklahoma works roughly 75.9 hours a month to cover Tulsa's median rent of $1,272.
Where is rent cheaper than Tulsa for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Oklahoma cities with lower median rent include Norman ($1,271/mo), Stillwater ($1,271/mo), El Reno ($1,271/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.