Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Auburn, WA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.4% of gross income.

Auburn rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Auburn median rent
$1,953/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Washington)
$68,085/yr
Rent as % of income
34.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,674, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,702/mo in rent. Auburn's median rent of $1,953 exceeds that threshold by $251/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 59.7 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Auburn, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

West Richland, WA
$1,952/mo (34.4% of income)
Des Moines, WA
$1,952/mo (34.4% of income)
Lacey, WA
$1,951/mo (34.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Auburn

View full rent data for Auburn, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Auburn, WA?

Median rent in Auburn is $1,953 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Washington earns about $68,085 a year, which makes that rent 34.4% 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 Auburn?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Washington (~$68,085/yr) supports up to $1,702 a month in rent. Auburn's current median rent is $1,953/mo, which is $251/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Washington works roughly 59.7 hours a month to cover Auburn's median rent of $1,953.

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

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include West Richland ($1,952/mo), Des Moines ($1,952/mo), Lacey ($1,951/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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