Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Lafayette, LA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30% of gross income.

Lafayette rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana state estimate).

Lafayette median rent
$1,324/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Louisiana)
$52,887/yr
Rent as % of income
30%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,407, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,322/mo in rent. Lafayette's median rent of $1,324 exceeds that threshold by $2/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 52.1 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 Louisiana cities have lower median rent than Lafayette, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Baton Rouge, LA
$1,320/mo (30% of income)
Leesville, LA
$1,319/mo (29.9% of income)
Eden Isle, LA
$1,319/mo (29.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lafayette

View full rent data for Lafayette, LA

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Lafayette, LA?

Median rent in Lafayette is $1,324 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Louisiana earns about $52,887 a year, which makes that rent 30% 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 Lafayette?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Louisiana (~$52,887/yr) supports up to $1,322 a month in rent. Lafayette's current median rent is $1,324/mo, which is $2/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Louisiana works roughly 52.1 hours a month to cover Lafayette's median rent of $1,324.

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

Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Baton Rouge ($1,320/mo), Leesville ($1,319/mo), Eden Isle ($1,319/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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