Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Alexandria, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 69.1% of gross income.
Alexandria rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Alexandria, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Alexandria
View full rent data for Alexandria, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Alexandria, VA?
Median rent in Alexandria is $2,325 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Virginia earns about $40,402 a year, which makes that rent 69.1% 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 Alexandria?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Virginia (~$40,402/yr) supports up to $1,010 a month in rent. Alexandria's current median rent is $2,325/mo, which is $1,315/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Alexandria?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Virginia works roughly 119.7 hours a month to cover Alexandria's median rent of $2,325.
Where is rent cheaper than Alexandria for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Stephens City ($2,324/mo), Annandale ($2,322/mo), Herndon ($2,320/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.