Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Portland, OR?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.1% of gross income.
Portland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon 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 Oregon cities have lower median rent than Portland, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portland
View full rent data for Portland, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Portland, OR?
Median rent in Portland is $1,721 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Oregon earns about $41,194 a year, which makes that rent 50.1% 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 Portland?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Oregon (~$41,194/yr) supports up to $1,030 a month in rent. Portland's current median rent is $1,721/mo, which is $691/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Portland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Oregon works roughly 86.9 hours a month to cover Portland's median rent of $1,721.
Where is rent cheaper than Portland for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Independence ($1,720/mo), Forest Grove ($1,719/mo), Clackamas ($1,718/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.