Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Winston-Salem, NC?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.3% of gross income.

Winston-Salem rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina state estimate).

Winston-Salem median rent
$1,537/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (North Carolina)
$57,143/yr
Rent as % of income
32.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,762, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,429/mo in rent. Winston-Salem's median rent of $1,537 exceeds that threshold by $108/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 55.9 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 North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Winston-Salem, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

China Grove, NC
$1,536/mo (32.3% of income)
New Bern, NC
$1,534/mo (32.2% of income)
Waynesville, NC
$1,533/mo (32.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Winston-Salem

View full rent data for Winston-Salem, NC

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Winston-Salem, NC?

Median rent in Winston-Salem is $1,537 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in North Carolina earns about $57,143 a year, which makes that rent 32.3% 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 Winston-Salem?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in North Carolina (~$57,143/yr) supports up to $1,429 a month in rent. Winston-Salem's current median rent is $1,537/mo, which is $108/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a licensed practical nurse work to cover rent in Winston-Salem?

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in North Carolina works roughly 55.9 hours a month to cover Winston-Salem's median rent of $1,537.

Where is rent cheaper than Winston-Salem for a licensed practical nurse?

Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include China Grove ($1,536/mo), New Bern ($1,534/mo), Waynesville ($1,533/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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