Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Madison, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 58.6% of gross income.
Madison rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Madison, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Madison
View full rent data for Madison, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Madison, WI?
Median rent in Madison is $1,837 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Wisconsin earns about $37,630 a year, which makes that rent 58.6% 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 Madison?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Wisconsin (~$37,630/yr) supports up to $941 a month in rent. Madison's current median rent is $1,837/mo, which is $896/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Madison?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Wisconsin works roughly 101.5 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $1,837.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Oconomowoc ($1,834/mo), Oconomowoc ($1,831/mo), Monona ($1,825/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.