Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Long Beach, CA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.5% of gross income.

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

Long Beach median rent
$2,364/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (California)
$71,732/yr
Rent as % of income
39.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,978, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,793/mo in rent. Long Beach's median rent of $2,364 exceeds that threshold by $571/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 68.5 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 Long Beach, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Rosamond, CA
$2,363/mo (39.5% of income)
Gardena, CA
$2,363/mo (39.5% of income)
Los Banos, CA
$2,363/mo (39.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Long Beach

View full rent data for Long Beach, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Long Beach, CA?

Median rent in Long Beach is $2,364 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in California earns about $71,732 a year, which makes that rent 39.5% 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 Long Beach?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in California (~$71,732/yr) supports up to $1,793 a month in rent. Long Beach's current median rent is $2,364/mo, which is $571/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in California works roughly 68.5 hours a month to cover Long Beach's median rent of $2,364.

Where is rent cheaper than Long Beach for a licensed practical nurse?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Rosamond ($2,363/mo), Gardena ($2,363/mo), Los Banos ($2,363/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 Long Beach, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.