Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Charleston, IL?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 14.1% of gross income.

Charleston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).

Charleston median rent
$730/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Illinois)
$62,006/yr
Rent as % of income
14.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,167, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,550/mo in rent. Charleston's median rent of $730 leaves roughly $820/mo of headroom under that threshold. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 24.5 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Belleville, IL
$724/mo (14% of income)
Carbondale, IL
$679/mo (13.1% of income)
Belleville, IL
$671/mo (13% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Charleston

View full rent data for Charleston, IL

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Charleston, IL?

Median rent in Charleston is $730 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Illinois earns about $62,006 a year, which makes that rent 14.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Charleston?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Illinois (~$62,006/yr) supports up to $1,550 a month in rent. Charleston's current median rent is $730/mo, which leaves a $820/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Illinois works roughly 24.5 hours a month to cover Charleston's median rent of $730.

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

Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Belleville ($724/mo), Carbondale ($679/mo), Belleville ($671/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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