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

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.8% of gross income.

Shelton rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Shelton median rent
$1,803/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Washington)
$68,085/yr
Rent as % of income
31.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,674, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,702/mo in rent. Shelton's median rent of $1,803 exceeds that threshold by $101/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 55.1 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 Shelton, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Vancouver, WA
$1,802/mo (31.8% of income)
La Center, WA
$1,801/mo (31.7% of income)
Grandview, WA
$1,800/mo (31.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Shelton

View full rent data for Shelton, WA →

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Shelton is $1,803 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Washington earns about $68,085 a year, which makes that rent 31.8% 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 Shelton?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Washington (~$68,085/yr) supports up to $1,702 a month in rent. Shelton's current median rent is $1,803/mo, which is $101/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Washington works roughly 55.1 hours a month to cover Shelton's median rent of $1,803.

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

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Vancouver ($1,802/mo), La Center ($1,801/mo), Grandview ($1,800/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 Shelton, WA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.