Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Salem, OR?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.2% of gross income.
Salem 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Salem, OR?
Median rent in Salem is $1,585 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Oregon earns about $41,194 a year, which makes that rent 46.2% 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 Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Oregon (~$41,194/yr) supports up to $1,030 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,585/mo, which is $555/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Oregon works roughly 80 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,585.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Springfield ($1,584/mo), Springfield ($1,583/mo), Happy Valley ($1,582/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.