Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Suffolk, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 59.2% of gross income.
Suffolk rent: June 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 Suffolk, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Suffolk
View full rent data for Suffolk, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Suffolk, VA?
Median rent in Suffolk is $1,993 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Virginia earns about $40,402 a year, which makes that rent 59.2% 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 Suffolk?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Virginia (~$40,402/yr) supports up to $1,010 a month in rent. Suffolk's current median rent is $1,993/mo, which is $983/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Suffolk?
At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a nursing assistant in Virginia works roughly 102.6 hours a month to cover Suffolk's median rent of $1,993.
Where is rent cheaper than Suffolk for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Blacksburg ($1,987/mo), Charlottesville ($1,986/mo), Stephens City ($1,985/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.