Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Chico, CA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.4% of gross income.

Chico rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).

Chico median rent
$1,577/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (California)
$71,732/yr
Rent as % of income
26.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,978, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,793/mo in rent. Chico's median rent of $1,577 leaves roughly $216/mo of headroom under that threshold. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 45.7 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 California cities have lower median rent than Chico, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Moreno Valley, CA
$1,576/mo (26.4% of income)
Hawthorne, CA
$1,576/mo (26.4% of income)
Arcata, CA
$1,576/mo (26.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Chico

View full rent data for Chico, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Chico, CA?

Median rent in Chico is $1,577 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in California earns about $71,732 a year, which makes that rent 26.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

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

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in California (~$71,732/yr) supports up to $1,793 a month in rent. Chico's current median rent is $1,577/mo, which leaves a $216/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in California works roughly 45.7 hours a month to cover Chico's median rent of $1,577.

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

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Moreno Valley ($1,576/mo), Hawthorne ($1,576/mo), Arcata ($1,576/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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