Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Mercer Island, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 74.3% of gross income.
Mercer Island 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 Mercer Island, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Mercer Island
View full rent data for Mercer Island, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Mercer Island, WA?
Median rent in Mercer Island is $2,746 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Washington earns about $44,363 a year, which makes that rent 74.3% 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 Mercer Island?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Washington (~$44,363/yr) supports up to $1,109 a month in rent. Mercer Island's current median rent is $2,746/mo, which is $1,637/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Mercer Island?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Washington works roughly 128.7 hours a month to cover Mercer Island's median rent of $2,746.
Where is rent cheaper than Mercer Island for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Spanaway ($2,744/mo), Spanaway ($2,744/mo), Maple Valley ($2,742/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.