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

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.5% of gross income.

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

Olympia median rent
$2,013/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Washington)
$68,085/yr
Rent as % of income
35.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,674, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,702/mo in rent. Olympia's median rent of $2,013 exceeds that threshold by $311/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 61.5 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Olympia, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Ridgefield, WA
$2,011/mo (35.4% of income)
Burlington, WA
$2,011/mo (35.4% of income)
Clover Creek, WA
$2,011/mo (35.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Olympia

View full rent data for Olympia, WA

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Olympia is $2,013 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Washington earns about $68,085 a year, which makes that rent 35.5% 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 Olympia?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Washington (~$68,085/yr) supports up to $1,702 a month in rent. Olympia's current median rent is $2,013/mo, which is $311/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Washington works roughly 61.5 hours a month to cover Olympia's median rent of $2,013.

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

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Ridgefield ($2,011/mo), Burlington ($2,011/mo), Clover Creek ($2,011/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 Olympia, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.