Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Knoxville, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 57.1% of gross income.
Knoxville rent: June 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 Knoxville, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Knoxville
View full rent data for Knoxville, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Knoxville, TN?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,735 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Tennessee earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 57.1% 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 Knoxville?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Tennessee (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Knoxville's current median rent is $1,735/mo, which is $824/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Knoxville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Tennessee works roughly 99 hours a month to cover Knoxville's median rent of $1,735.
Where is rent cheaper than Knoxville for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Goodlettsville ($1,733/mo), Alcoa ($1,732/mo), Lenoir City ($1,732/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.