Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Brookings, SD?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.8% of gross income.
Brookings rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota 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 South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Brookings, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for Brookings
View full rent data for Brookings, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Brookings, SD?
Median rent in Brookings is $1,286 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in South Dakota earns about $53,495 a year, which makes that rent 28.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Brookings?
Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in South Dakota (~$53,495/yr) supports up to $1,337 a month in rent. Brookings's current median rent is $1,286/mo, which leaves a $51/mo buffer.
How many hours does a licensed practical nurse work to cover rent in Brookings?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in South Dakota works roughly 50 hours a month to cover Brookings's median rent of $1,286.
Where is rent cheaper than Brookings for a licensed practical nurse?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Sioux Falls ($1,279/mo), Sioux Falls ($1,276/mo), Sioux Falls ($1,271/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.