Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Memphis, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.6% of gross income.
Memphis rent: July 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 Memphis, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Memphis
View full rent data for Memphis, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Memphis, TN?
Median rent in Memphis is $1,262 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Tennessee earns about $36,441 a year, which makes that rent 41.6% 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 Memphis?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Tennessee (~$36,441/yr) supports up to $911 a month in rent. Memphis's current median rent is $1,262/mo, which is $351/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Memphis?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Tennessee works roughly 72 hours a month to cover Memphis's median rent of $1,262.
Where is rent cheaper than Memphis for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Red Bank ($1,261/mo), Red Bank ($1,259/mo), Red Bank ($1,257/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.