Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Erie, PA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.7% of gross income.
Erie 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 Erie, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Erie
View full rent data for Erie, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Erie, PA?
Median rent in Erie is $1,036 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Pennsylvania earns about $39,214 a year, which makes that rent 31.7% 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 Erie?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Pennsylvania (~$39,214/yr) supports up to $980 a month in rent. Erie's current median rent is $1,036/mo, which is $56/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Erie?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Pennsylvania works roughly 55 hours a month to cover Erie's median rent of $1,036.
Where is rent cheaper than Erie for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include McKeesport ($1,034/mo), New Castle ($1,032/mo), Williamsport ($1,032/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.