Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Seattle, WA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 60.2% of gross income.
Seattle rent: June 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 Seattle, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Seattle
View full rent data for Seattle, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Seattle, WA?
Median rent in Seattle is $2,224 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Washington earns about $44,363 a year, which makes that rent 60.2% 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 Seattle?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Washington (~$44,363/yr) supports up to $1,109 a month in rent. Seattle's current median rent is $2,224/mo, which is $1,115/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Seattle?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a nursing assistant in Washington works roughly 104.3 hours a month to cover Seattle's median rent of $2,224.
Where is rent cheaper than Seattle for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Monroe ($2,222/mo), Kenmore ($2,221/mo), Camas ($2,220/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.