Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Charleston, WV?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.8% of gross income.
Charleston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (West Virginia 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 West Virginia cities have lower median rent than Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Charleston
View full rent data for Charleston, WV →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Charleston, WV?
Median rent in Charleston is $1,370 a month. A typical nursing assistant in West Virginia earns about $33,669 a year, which makes that rent 48.8% 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 Charleston?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in West Virginia (~$33,669/yr) supports up to $842 a month in rent. Charleston's current median rent is $1,370/mo, which is $528/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Charleston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a nursing assistant in West Virginia works roughly 84.6 hours a month to cover Charleston's median rent of $1,370.
Where is rent cheaper than Charleston for a nursing assistant?
Nearby West Virginia cities with lower median rent include Morgantown ($1,338/mo), Bridgeport ($1,320/mo), Morgantown ($1,261/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a nursing assistant salary.