Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Philadelphia, PA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55% of gross income.
Philadelphia rent: July 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 Philadelphia, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Philadelphia
View full rent data for Philadelphia, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
Median rent in Philadelphia is $1,797 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Pennsylvania earns about $39,214 a year, which makes that rent 55% 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 Philadelphia?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Pennsylvania (~$39,214/yr) supports up to $980 a month in rent. Philadelphia's current median rent is $1,797/mo, which is $817/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Philadelphia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Pennsylvania works roughly 95.3 hours a month to cover Philadelphia's median rent of $1,797.
Where is rent cheaper than Philadelphia for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Enola ($1,796/mo), Morrisville ($1,795/mo), Elkins Park ($1,795/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.