Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Lake Wales, FL?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.7% of gross income.

Lake Wales rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida state estimate).

Lake Wales median rent
$1,586/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Florida)
$56,535/yr
Rent as % of income
33.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,711, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,413/mo in rent. Lake Wales's median rent of $1,586 exceeds that threshold by $173/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 58.4 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 Florida cities have lower median rent than Lake Wales, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Davenport, FL
$1,585/mo (33.6% of income)
Egypt Lake-Leto, FL
$1,585/mo (33.6% of income)
Leesburg, FL
$1,584/mo (33.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lake Wales

View full rent data for Lake Wales, FL

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Lake Wales, FL?

Median rent in Lake Wales is $1,586 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Florida earns about $56,535 a year, which makes that rent 33.7% 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 Lake Wales?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Florida (~$56,535/yr) supports up to $1,413 a month in rent. Lake Wales's current median rent is $1,586/mo, which is $173/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Florida works roughly 58.4 hours a month to cover Lake Wales's median rent of $1,586.

Where is rent cheaper than Lake Wales for a licensed practical nurse?

Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Davenport ($1,585/mo), Egypt Lake-Leto ($1,585/mo), Leesburg ($1,584/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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