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

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.3% of gross income.

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

Portsmouth median rent
$1,617/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Virginia)
$62,006/yr
Rent as % of income
31.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,167, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,550/mo in rent. Portsmouth's median rent of $1,617 exceeds that threshold by $67/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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Portsmouth, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Bellwood, VA
$1,615/mo (31.3% of income)
Norfolk, VA
$1,610/mo (31.2% of income)
Norfolk, VA
$1,607/mo (31.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Portsmouth

View full rent data for Portsmouth, VA

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Portsmouth is $1,617 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Virginia earns about $62,006 a year, which makes that rent 31.3% 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 Portsmouth?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Virginia (~$62,006/yr) supports up to $1,550 a month in rent. Portsmouth's current median rent is $1,617/mo, which is $67/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Virginia works roughly 54.2 hours a month to cover Portsmouth's median rent of $1,617.

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

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Bellwood ($1,615/mo), Norfolk ($1,610/mo), Norfolk ($1,607/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 Portsmouth, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.