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

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.

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

Birmingham median rent
$1,359/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Alabama)
$52,279/yr
Rent as % of income
31.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,357, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,307/mo in rent. Birmingham's median rent of $1,359 exceeds that threshold by $52/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 54.1 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 Birmingham, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Athens, AL
$1,358/mo (31.2% of income)
Athens, AL
$1,358/mo (31.2% of income)
Millbrook, AL
$1,358/mo (31.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Birmingham

View full rent data for Birmingham, AL

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Birmingham is $1,359 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Alabama earns about $52,279 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% 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 Birmingham?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Alabama (~$52,279/yr) supports up to $1,307 a month in rent. Birmingham's current median rent is $1,359/mo, which is $52/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Alabama works roughly 54.1 hours a month to cover Birmingham's median rent of $1,359.

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

Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Athens ($1,358/mo), Athens ($1,358/mo), Millbrook ($1,358/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 Birmingham, AL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.