Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Providence, RI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 66.4% of gross income.
Providence rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Providence, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Providence
View full rent data for Providence, RI →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Providence, RI?
Median rent in Providence is $2,281 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Rhode Island earns about $41,194 a year, which makes that rent 66.4% 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 Providence?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Rhode Island (~$41,194/yr) supports up to $1,030 a month in rent. Providence's current median rent is $2,281/mo, which is $1,251/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Providence?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a nursing assistant in Rhode Island works roughly 115.2 hours a month to cover Providence's median rent of $2,281.
Where is rent cheaper than Providence for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include North Smithfield ($2,278/mo), East Greenwich ($2,269/mo), East Greenwich ($2,267/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.