Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Portales, NM?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.4% of gross income.
Portales rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).
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 New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Portales, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portales
View full rent data for Portales, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Portales, NM?
Median rent in Portales is $975 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in New Mexico earns about $54,711 a year, which makes that rent 21.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Portales?
Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in New Mexico (~$54,711/yr) supports up to $1,368 a month in rent. Portales's current median rent is $975/mo, which leaves a $393/mo buffer.
How many hours does a licensed practical nurse work to cover rent in Portales?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in New Mexico works roughly 37.1 hours a month to cover Portales's median rent of $975.
Where is rent cheaper than Portales for a licensed practical nurse?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Las Cruces ($918/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.