Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Rapid City, SD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.7% of gross income.
Rapid City 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 Rapid City, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rapid City
View full rent data for Rapid City, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Rapid City, SD?
Median rent in Rapid City is $1,443 a month. A typical nursing assistant in South Dakota earns about $34,857 a year, which makes that rent 49.7% 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 Rapid City?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in South Dakota (~$34,857/yr) supports up to $871 a month in rent. Rapid City's current median rent is $1,443/mo, which is $572/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Rapid City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a nursing assistant in South Dakota works roughly 86.1 hours a month to cover Rapid City's median rent of $1,443.
Where is rent cheaper than Rapid City for a nursing assistant?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Box Elder ($1,441/mo), Brookings ($1,434/mo), Harrisburg ($1,431/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.