Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Appleton, WI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.7% of gross income.

Appleton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).

Appleton median rent
$1,187/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Wisconsin)
$57,751/yr
Rent as % of income
24.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,813, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,444/mo in rent. Appleton's median rent of $1,187 leaves roughly $257/mo of headroom under that threshold. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 42.8 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Appleton, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Janesville, WI
$1,186/mo (24.6% of income)
Stevens Point, WI
$1,186/mo (24.6% of income)
Fond du Lac, WI
$1,186/mo (24.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Appleton

View full rent data for Appleton, WI

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Appleton, WI?

Median rent in Appleton is $1,187 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Wisconsin earns about $57,751 a year, which makes that rent 24.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Appleton?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Wisconsin (~$57,751/yr) supports up to $1,444 a month in rent. Appleton's current median rent is $1,187/mo, which leaves a $257/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Wisconsin works roughly 42.8 hours a month to cover Appleton's median rent of $1,187.

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

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Janesville ($1,186/mo), Stevens Point ($1,186/mo), Fond du Lac ($1,186/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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