Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Onalaska, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45% of gross income.
Onalaska rent: June 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 Onalaska, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Onalaska
View full rent data for Onalaska, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Onalaska, WI?
Median rent in Onalaska is $1,412 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Wisconsin earns about $37,630 a year, which makes that rent 45% 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 Onalaska?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Wisconsin (~$37,630/yr) supports up to $941 a month in rent. Onalaska's current median rent is $1,412/mo, which is $471/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Onalaska?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Wisconsin works roughly 78 hours a month to cover Onalaska's median rent of $1,412.
Where is rent cheaper than Onalaska for a nursing assistant?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Waukesha ($1,411/mo), West Allis ($1,408/mo), Menomonee Falls ($1,405/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.