Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Columbia, SC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.9% of gross income.
Columbia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina 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 South Carolina cities have lower median rent than Columbia, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbia
View full rent data for Columbia, SC →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Columbia, SC?
Median rent in Columbia is $1,478 a month. A typical nursing assistant in South Carolina earns about $34,857 a year, which makes that rent 50.9% 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 Columbia?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in South Carolina (~$34,857/yr) supports up to $871 a month in rent. Columbia's current median rent is $1,478/mo, which is $607/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Columbia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in South Carolina works roughly 88.2 hours a month to cover Columbia's median rent of $1,478.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbia for a nursing assistant?
Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Port Royal ($1,471/mo), Forest Acres ($1,469/mo), North Myrtle Beach ($1,469/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.