Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Scotts Valley, CA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 71.6% of gross income.

Scotts Valley rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).

Scotts Valley median rent
$4,278/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (California)
$71,732/yr
Rent as % of income
71.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,978, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,793/mo in rent. Scotts Valley's median rent of $4,278 exceeds that threshold by $2,485/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 124 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 Scotts Valley, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Altadena, CA
$4,275/mo (71.5% of income)
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
$4,269/mo (71.4% of income)
Cupertino, CA
$4,267/mo (71.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Scotts Valley

View full rent data for Scotts Valley, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Scotts Valley, CA?

Median rent in Scotts Valley is $4,278 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in California earns about $71,732 a year, which makes that rent 71.6% 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 Scotts Valley?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in California (~$71,732/yr) supports up to $1,793 a month in rent. Scotts Valley's current median rent is $4,278/mo, which is $2,485/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in California works roughly 124 hours a month to cover Scotts Valley's median rent of $4,278.

Where is rent cheaper than Scotts Valley for a licensed practical nurse?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Altadena ($4,275/mo), Carmel-by-the-Sea ($4,269/mo), Cupertino ($4,267/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 Scotts Valley, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.