Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Lancaster, PA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.5% of gross income.
Lancaster 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 Lancaster, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lancaster
View full rent data for Lancaster, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Lancaster, PA?
Median rent in Lancaster is $1,552 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Pennsylvania earns about $39,214 a year, which makes that rent 47.5% 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 Lancaster?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Pennsylvania (~$39,214/yr) supports up to $980 a month in rent. Lancaster's current median rent is $1,552/mo, which is $572/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Lancaster?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Pennsylvania works roughly 82.3 hours a month to cover Lancaster's median rent of $1,552.
Where is rent cheaper than Lancaster for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Darby ($1,551/mo), Carlisle ($1,550/mo), Manheim ($1,549/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.