Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Allentown, PA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.6% of gross income.
Allentown rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than Allentown, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Allentown
View full rent data for Allentown, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Allentown, PA?
Median rent in Allentown is $1,686 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Pennsylvania earns about $39,214 a year, which makes that rent 51.6% 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 Allentown?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Pennsylvania (~$39,214/yr) supports up to $980 a month in rent. Allentown's current median rent is $1,686/mo, which is $706/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Allentown?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Pennsylvania works roughly 89.4 hours a month to cover Allentown's median rent of $1,686.
Where is rent cheaper than Allentown for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Philadelphia ($1,685/mo), Nazareth ($1,685/mo), Norristown ($1,684/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.