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

Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.2% of gross income.

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

Pasadena median rent
$2,939/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (California)
$71,732/yr
Rent as % of income
49.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,978, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,793/mo in rent. Pasadena's median rent of $2,939 exceeds that threshold by $1,146/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 85.2 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 Pasadena, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Fremont, CA
$2,938/mo (49.1% of income)
Sonoma, CA
$2,938/mo (49.1% of income)
Glendora, CA
$2,938/mo (49.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Pasadena

View full rent data for Pasadena, CA

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Pasadena is $2,939 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in California earns about $71,732 a year, which makes that rent 49.2% 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 Pasadena?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in California (~$71,732/yr) supports up to $1,793 a month in rent. Pasadena's current median rent is $2,939/mo, which is $1,146/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in California works roughly 85.2 hours a month to cover Pasadena's median rent of $2,939.

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

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Fremont ($2,938/mo), Sonoma ($2,938/mo), Glendora ($2,938/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 Pasadena, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.