Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Phoenix, AZ?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.9% of gross income.

Phoenix rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona state estimate).

Phoenix median rent
$1,569/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Arizona)
$58,966/yr
Rent as % of income
31.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,914, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,474/mo in rent. Phoenix's median rent of $1,569 exceeds that threshold by $95/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 55.3 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 Arizona cities have lower median rent than Phoenix, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Lake Havasu City, AZ
$1,567/mo (31.9% of income)
Oro Valley, AZ
$1,567/mo (31.9% of income)
Mesa, AZ
$1,567/mo (31.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Phoenix

View full rent data for Phoenix, AZ

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?

Median rent in Phoenix is $1,569 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Arizona earns about $58,966 a year, which makes that rent 31.9% 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 Phoenix?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Arizona (~$58,966/yr) supports up to $1,474 a month in rent. Phoenix's current median rent is $1,569/mo, which is $95/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Arizona works roughly 55.3 hours a month to cover Phoenix's median rent of $1,569.

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

Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Lake Havasu City ($1,567/mo), Oro Valley ($1,567/mo), Mesa ($1,567/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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