Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Fort Smith, AR?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.2% of gross income.
Fort Smith rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas state estimate).
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 Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Fort Smith, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fort Smith
View full rent data for Fort Smith, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Fort Smith, AR?
Median rent in Fort Smith is $1,060 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Arkansas earns about $50,456 a year, which makes that rent 25.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Fort Smith?
Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Arkansas (~$50,456/yr) supports up to $1,261 a month in rent. Fort Smith's current median rent is $1,060/mo, which leaves a $201/mo buffer.
How many hours does a licensed practical nurse work to cover rent in Fort Smith?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Arkansas works roughly 43.7 hours a month to cover Fort Smith's median rent of $1,060.
Where is rent cheaper than Fort Smith for a licensed practical nurse?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include Bentonville ($1,059/mo), North Little Rock ($1,055/mo), Hot Springs ($1,054/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.