Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Missoula, MT?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.8% of gross income.

Missoula rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).

Missoula median rent
$1,550/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Montana)
$53,495/yr
Rent as % of income
34.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,458, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,337/mo in rent. Missoula's median rent of $1,550 exceeds that threshold by $213/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 60.3 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Missoula, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Helena, MT
$1,491/mo (33.4% of income)
Helena, MT
$1,490/mo (33.4% of income)
Helena, MT
$1,490/mo (33.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Missoula

View full rent data for Missoula, MT

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Missoula, MT?

Median rent in Missoula is $1,550 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Montana earns about $53,495 a year, which makes that rent 34.8% 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 Missoula?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Montana (~$53,495/yr) supports up to $1,337 a month in rent. Missoula's current median rent is $1,550/mo, which is $213/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Montana works roughly 60.3 hours a month to cover Missoula's median rent of $1,550.

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

Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Helena ($1,491/mo), Helena ($1,490/mo), Helena ($1,490/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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