Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Jefferson City, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.9% of gross income.
Jefferson City rent: March 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Jefferson City, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Jefferson City
View full rent data for Jefferson City, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Jefferson City, TN?
Median rent in Jefferson City is $1,152 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Tennessee earns about $36,441 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 Jefferson City?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Tennessee (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Jefferson City's current median rent is $1,152/mo, which is $241/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Jefferson City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Tennessee works roughly 65.8 hours a month to cover Jefferson City's median rent of $1,152.
Where is rent cheaper than Jefferson City for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Athens ($1,135/mo), Maryville ($1,123/mo), Greeneville ($1,117/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.