Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Fort Dodge, IA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.1% of gross income.

Fort Dodge rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

Fort Dodge median rent
$843/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Iowa)
$55,927/yr
Rent as % of income
18.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,661, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,398/mo in rent. Fort Dodge's median rent of $843 leaves roughly $555/mo of headroom under that threshold. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 31.4 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Fort Dodge, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Waterloo, IA
$842/mo (18.1% of income)
Waterloo, IA
$840/mo (18% of income)
Ames, IA
$839/mo (18% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Fort Dodge

View full rent data for Fort Dodge, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Fort Dodge, IA?

Median rent in Fort Dodge is $843 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Iowa earns about $55,927 a year, which makes that rent 18.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Fort Dodge?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Iowa (~$55,927/yr) supports up to $1,398 a month in rent. Fort Dodge's current median rent is $843/mo, which leaves a $555/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Iowa works roughly 31.4 hours a month to cover Fort Dodge's median rent of $843.

Where is rent cheaper than Fort Dodge for a licensed practical nurse?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Waterloo ($842/mo), Waterloo ($840/mo), Ames ($839/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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