Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Columbia, PA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.5% of gross income.
Columbia rent: June 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 Columbia, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbia
View full rent data for Columbia, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Columbia, PA?
Median rent in Columbia is $1,291 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Pennsylvania earns about $39,214 a year, which makes that rent 39.5% 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 Columbia?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Pennsylvania (~$39,214/yr) supports up to $980 a month in rent. Columbia's current median rent is $1,291/mo, which is $311/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Columbia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Pennsylvania works roughly 68.5 hours a month to cover Columbia's median rent of $1,291.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbia for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Irwin ($1,290/mo), Carnegie ($1,289/mo), Bridgeville ($1,289/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.