Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Arlington, MA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.8% of gross income.

Arlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).

Arlington median rent
$3,043/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Massachusetts)
$70,516/yr
Rent as % of income
51.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,876, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,763/mo in rent. Arlington's median rent of $3,043 exceeds that threshold by $1,280/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 89.8 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Arlington, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Waltham, MA
$3,042/mo (51.8% of income)
Hanover, MA
$3,042/mo (51.8% of income)
Bedford, MA
$3,037/mo (51.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Arlington

View full rent data for Arlington, MA

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Arlington, MA?

Median rent in Arlington is $3,043 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Massachusetts earns about $70,516 a year, which makes that rent 51.8% 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 Arlington?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Massachusetts (~$70,516/yr) supports up to $1,763 a month in rent. Arlington's current median rent is $3,043/mo, which is $1,280/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Massachusetts works roughly 89.8 hours a month to cover Arlington's median rent of $3,043.

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

Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Waltham ($3,042/mo), Hanover ($3,042/mo), Bedford ($3,037/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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