Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Box Elder, SD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.6% of gross income.
Box Elder rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota 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 Dakota cities have lower median rent than Box Elder, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Box Elder
View full rent data for Box Elder, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Box Elder, SD?
Median rent in Box Elder is $1,557 a month. A typical nursing assistant in South Dakota earns about $34,857 a year, which makes that rent 53.6% 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 Box Elder?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in South Dakota (~$34,857/yr) supports up to $871 a month in rent. Box Elder's current median rent is $1,557/mo, which is $686/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Box Elder?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in South Dakota works roughly 92.9 hours a month to cover Box Elder's median rent of $1,557.
Where is rent cheaper than Box Elder for a nursing assistant?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Harrisburg ($1,494/mo), Harrisburg ($1,453/mo), Harrisburg ($1,452/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.