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

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.2% of gross income.

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

Modesto median rent
$1,986/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (California)
$71,732/yr
Rent as % of income
33.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,978, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,793/mo in rent. Modesto's median rent of $1,986 exceeds that threshold by $193/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 57.6 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 Modesto, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Huntington Park, CA
$1,985/mo (33.2% of income)
Huntington Park, CA
$1,985/mo (33.2% of income)
Ceres, CA
$1,985/mo (33.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Modesto

View full rent data for Modesto, CA

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Modesto is $1,986 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in California earns about $71,732 a year, which makes that rent 33.2% 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 Modesto?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in California (~$71,732/yr) supports up to $1,793 a month in rent. Modesto's current median rent is $1,986/mo, which is $193/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in California works roughly 57.6 hours a month to cover Modesto's median rent of $1,986.

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

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Huntington Park ($1,985/mo), Huntington Park ($1,985/mo), Ceres ($1,985/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 Modesto, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.