Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in McAllen, TX?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.3% of gross income.

McAllen rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

McAllen median rent
$1,283/mo
Nursing Assistant salary (Texas)
$39,214/yr
Rent as % of income
39.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,268, and the 30% rule supports up to $980/mo in rent. McAllen's median rent of $1,283 exceeds that threshold by $303/mo, putting a nursing assistant salary into the rent-burdened range here. A nursing assistant works roughly 68.1 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 McAllen, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:

Corsicana, TX
$1,282/mo (39.2% of income)
Tyler, TX
$1,282/mo (39.2% of income)
Jersey Village, TX
$1,282/mo (39.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for McAllen

View full rent data for McAllen, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a nursing assistant afford rent in McAllen, TX?

Median rent in McAllen is $1,283 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Texas earns about $39,214 a year, which makes that rent 39.3% 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 McAllen?

Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Texas (~$39,214/yr) supports up to $980 a month in rent. McAllen's current median rent is $1,283/mo, which is $303/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in McAllen?

At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Texas works roughly 68.1 hours a month to cover McAllen's median rent of $1,283.

Where is rent cheaper than McAllen for a nursing assistant?

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Corsicana ($1,282/mo), Tyler ($1,282/mo), Jersey Village ($1,282/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Texas state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for McAllen, TX. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.