Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Athens, AL?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.7% of gross income.

Athens rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alabama state estimate).

Athens median rent
$1,468/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Alabama)
$52,279/yr
Rent as % of income
33.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,357, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,307/mo in rent. Athens's median rent of $1,468 exceeds that threshold by $161/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 58.4 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a licensed practical nurse salary

LPN pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. At the national-average LPN salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,520 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Alabama cities have lower median rent than Athens, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Northport, AL
$1,467/mo (33.7% of income)
Tuscaloosa, AL
$1,466/mo (33.7% of income)
Tuscaloosa, AL
$1,465/mo (33.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Athens

View full rent data for Athens, AL

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Athens, AL?

Median rent in Athens is $1,468 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Alabama earns about $52,279 a year, which makes that rent 33.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Athens?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Alabama (~$52,279/yr) supports up to $1,307 a month in rent. Athens's current median rent is $1,468/mo, which is $161/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a licensed practical nurse work to cover rent in Athens?

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Alabama works roughly 58.4 hours a month to cover Athens's median rent of $1,468.

Where is rent cheaper than Athens for a licensed practical nurse?

Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Northport ($1,467/mo), Tuscaloosa ($1,466/mo), Tuscaloosa ($1,465/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Alabama state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Athens, AL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.