Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in North Charleston, SC?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 39% of gross income.

North Charleston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina state estimate).

North Charleston median rent
$1,738/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (South Carolina)
$53,495/yr
Rent as % of income
39%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,458, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,337/mo in rent. North Charleston's median rent of $1,738 exceeds that threshold by $401/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 67.6 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 South Carolina cities have lower median rent than North Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Elgin, SC
$1,736/mo (38.9% of income)
Elgin, SC
$1,734/mo (38.9% of income)
Blythewood, SC
$1,734/mo (38.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for North Charleston

View full rent data for North Charleston, SC

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in North Charleston, SC?

Median rent in North Charleston is $1,738 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in South Carolina earns about $53,495 a year, which makes that rent 39% 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 North Charleston?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in South Carolina (~$53,495/yr) supports up to $1,337 a month in rent. North Charleston's current median rent is $1,738/mo, which is $401/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in South Carolina works roughly 67.6 hours a month to cover North Charleston's median rent of $1,738.

Where is rent cheaper than North Charleston for a licensed practical nurse?

Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Elgin ($1,736/mo), Elgin ($1,734/mo), Blythewood ($1,734/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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