Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Houston, TX?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.

Houston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas state estimate).

Houston median rent
$1,567/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Texas)
$60,182/yr
Rent as % of income
31.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,015, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,505/mo in rent. Houston's median rent of $1,567 exceeds that threshold by $62/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 54.2 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Houston, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Carrollton, TX
$1,566/mo (31.2% of income)
Cinco Ranch, TX
$1,566/mo (31.2% of income)
Austin, TX
$1,566/mo (31.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Houston

View full rent data for Houston, TX

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Houston, TX?

Median rent in Houston is $1,567 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Texas earns about $60,182 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% 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 Houston?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Texas (~$60,182/yr) supports up to $1,505 a month in rent. Houston's current median rent is $1,567/mo, which is $62/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Texas works roughly 54.2 hours a month to cover Houston's median rent of $1,567.

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

Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Carrollton ($1,566/mo), Cinco Ranch ($1,566/mo), Austin ($1,566/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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