Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Pittsburgh, PA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.8% of gross income.

Pittsburgh rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Pennsylvania state estimate).

Pittsburgh median rent
$1,593/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Pennsylvania)
$60,182/yr
Rent as % of income
31.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,015, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,505/mo in rent. Pittsburgh's median rent of $1,593 exceeds that threshold by $88/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 55.1 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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than Pittsburgh, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Bala-Cynwyd, PA
$1,592/mo (31.7% of income)
Carlisle, PA
$1,590/mo (31.7% of income)
Carlisle, PA
$1,590/mo (31.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Pittsburgh

View full rent data for Pittsburgh, PA

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Pittsburgh, PA?

Median rent in Pittsburgh is $1,593 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Pennsylvania earns about $60,182 a year, which makes that rent 31.8% 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 Pittsburgh?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Pennsylvania (~$60,182/yr) supports up to $1,505 a month in rent. Pittsburgh's current median rent is $1,593/mo, which is $88/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Pennsylvania works roughly 55.1 hours a month to cover Pittsburgh's median rent of $1,593.

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

Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Bala-Cynwyd ($1,592/mo), Carlisle ($1,590/mo), Carlisle ($1,590/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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