Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Columbus, OH?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.9% of gross income.

Columbus rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Ohio state estimate).

Columbus median rent
$1,471/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Ohio)
$57,143/yr
Rent as % of income
30.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,762, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,429/mo in rent. Columbus's median rent of $1,471 exceeds that threshold by $42/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 53.5 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 Ohio cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Grove City, OH
$1,470/mo (30.9% of income)
Batavia, OH
$1,470/mo (30.9% of income)
Maple Heights, OH
$1,468/mo (30.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Columbus

View full rent data for Columbus, OH →

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Columbus, OH?

Median rent in Columbus is $1,471 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Ohio earns about $57,143 a year, which makes that rent 30.9% 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 Columbus?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Ohio (~$57,143/yr) supports up to $1,429 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,471/mo, which is $42/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Ohio works roughly 53.5 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,471.

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

Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Grove City ($1,470/mo), Batavia ($1,470/mo), Maple Heights ($1,468/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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