Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Arlington, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 81.1% of gross income.
Arlington 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 Arlington, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Arlington
View full rent data for Arlington, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Arlington, VA?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,729 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Virginia earns about $40,402 a year, which makes that rent 81.1% 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 Arlington?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Virginia (~$40,402/yr) supports up to $1,010 a month in rent. Arlington's current median rent is $2,729/mo, which is $1,719/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Arlington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Virginia works roughly 140.5 hours a month to cover Arlington's median rent of $2,729.
Where is rent cheaper than Arlington for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Gainesville ($2,726/mo), Ashburn ($2,723/mo), Ashburn ($2,722/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.