Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Brookings, SD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.9% of gross income.
Brookings 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 Brookings, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brookings
View full rent data for Brookings, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Brookings, SD?
Median rent in Brookings is $1,100 a month. A typical nursing assistant in South Dakota earns about $34,857 a year, which makes that rent 37.9% 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 Brookings?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in South Dakota (~$34,857/yr) supports up to $871 a month in rent. Brookings's current median rent is $1,100/mo, which is $229/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Brookings?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in South Dakota works roughly 65.6 hours a month to cover Brookings's median rent of $1,100.
Where is rent cheaper than Brookings for a nursing assistant?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Aberdeen ($1,049/mo), Vermillion ($1,045/mo), Brandon ($1,035/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.