Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Scranton, PA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.2% of gross income.
Scranton 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 Scranton, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Scranton
View full rent data for Scranton, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Scranton, PA?
Median rent in Scranton is $1,314 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Pennsylvania earns about $39,214 a year, which makes that rent 40.2% 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 Scranton?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Pennsylvania (~$39,214/yr) supports up to $980 a month in rent. Scranton's current median rent is $1,314/mo, which is $334/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Scranton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Pennsylvania works roughly 69.7 hours a month to cover Scranton's median rent of $1,314.
Where is rent cheaper than Scranton for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Bangor ($1,313/mo), Bethel Park ($1,313/mo), Aliquippa ($1,312/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.