Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Federal Way, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.9% of gross income.
Federal Way rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Federal Way, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Federal Way
View full rent data for Federal Way, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Federal Way, WA?
Median rent in Federal Way is $1,920 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Washington earns about $44,363 a year, which makes that rent 51.9% 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 Federal Way?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Washington (~$44,363/yr) supports up to $1,109 a month in rent. Federal Way's current median rent is $1,920/mo, which is $811/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Federal Way?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Washington works roughly 90 hours a month to cover Federal Way's median rent of $1,920.
Where is rent cheaper than Federal Way for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Port Orchard ($1,919/mo), Bainbridge Island ($1,918/mo), Everett ($1,918/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.