Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Houston, TX?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.2% of gross income.
Houston rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Houston, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Houston
View full rent data for Houston, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Houston, TX?
Median rent in Houston is $1,544 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Texas earns about $39,214 a year, which makes that rent 47.2% 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 Houston?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Texas (~$39,214/yr) supports up to $980 a month in rent. Houston's current median rent is $1,544/mo, which is $564/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Houston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Texas works roughly 81.9 hours a month to cover Houston's median rent of $1,544.
Where is rent cheaper than Houston for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Hudson Oaks ($1,543/mo), Brenham ($1,543/mo), Austin ($1,543/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.