Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Denver, CO?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.3% of gross income.

Denver rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado state estimate).

Denver median rent
$1,877/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Colorado)
$63,830/yr
Rent as % of income
35.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,319, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,596/mo in rent. Denver's median rent of $1,877 exceeds that threshold by $281/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 61.2 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Denver, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Thornton, CO
$1,876/mo (35.3% of income)
Longmont, CO
$1,875/mo (35.2% of income)
Thornton, CO
$1,875/mo (35.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Denver

View full rent data for Denver, CO

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Denver, CO?

Median rent in Denver is $1,877 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Colorado earns about $63,830 a year, which makes that rent 35.3% 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 Denver?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Colorado (~$63,830/yr) supports up to $1,596 a month in rent. Denver's current median rent is $1,877/mo, which is $281/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Colorado works roughly 61.2 hours a month to cover Denver's median rent of $1,877.

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

Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Thornton ($1,876/mo), Longmont ($1,875/mo), Thornton ($1,875/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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