Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Fairfax, VA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 47.6% of gross income.

Fairfax rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Fairfax median rent
$2,458/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Virginia)
$62,006/yr
Rent as % of income
47.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,167, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,550/mo in rent. Fairfax's median rent of $2,458 exceeds that threshold by $908/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 82.5 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Fairfax, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Reston, VA
$2,456/mo (47.5% of income)
Falls Church, VA
$2,456/mo (47.5% of income)
Reston, VA
$2,451/mo (47.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Fairfax

View full rent data for Fairfax, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Fairfax, VA?

Median rent in Fairfax is $2,458 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Virginia earns about $62,006 a year, which makes that rent 47.6% 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 Fairfax?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Virginia (~$62,006/yr) supports up to $1,550 a month in rent. Fairfax's current median rent is $2,458/mo, which is $908/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Virginia works roughly 82.5 hours a month to cover Fairfax's median rent of $2,458.

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

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Reston ($2,456/mo), Falls Church ($2,456/mo), Reston ($2,451/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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