Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Portage, IN?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.4% of gross income.

Portage rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Indiana state estimate).

Portage median rent
$1,512/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Indiana)
$55,927/yr
Rent as % of income
32.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,661, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,398/mo in rent. Portage's median rent of $1,512 exceeds that threshold by $114/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 56.2 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 Indiana cities have lower median rent than Portage, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Merrillville, IN
$1,504/mo (32.3% of income)
Merrillville, IN
$1,501/mo (32.2% of income)
Greenfield, IN
$1,499/mo (32.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Portage

View full rent data for Portage, IN

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Portage, IN?

Median rent in Portage is $1,512 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Indiana earns about $55,927 a year, which makes that rent 32.4% 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 Portage?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Indiana (~$55,927/yr) supports up to $1,398 a month in rent. Portage's current median rent is $1,512/mo, which is $114/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Indiana works roughly 56.2 hours a month to cover Portage's median rent of $1,512.

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

Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Merrillville ($1,504/mo), Merrillville ($1,501/mo), Greenfield ($1,499/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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