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

Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.6% of gross income.

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

Chelmsford median rent
$2,680/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Massachusetts)
$70,516/yr
Rent as % of income
45.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,876, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,763/mo in rent. Chelmsford's median rent of $2,680 exceeds that threshold by $917/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 79.1 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Chelmsford, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Everett, MA
$2,679/mo (45.6% of income)
Arlington, MA
$2,679/mo (45.6% of income)
Westborough, MA
$2,679/mo (45.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Chelmsford

View full rent data for Chelmsford, MA

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Chelmsford is $2,680 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Massachusetts earns about $70,516 a year, which makes that rent 45.6% 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 Chelmsford?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Massachusetts (~$70,516/yr) supports up to $1,763 a month in rent. Chelmsford's current median rent is $2,680/mo, which is $917/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Massachusetts works roughly 79.1 hours a month to cover Chelmsford's median rent of $2,680.

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

Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Everett ($2,679/mo), Arlington ($2,679/mo), Westborough ($2,679/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 Chelmsford, MA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.