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

Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.

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

Milwaukee median rent
$1,469/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Wisconsin)
$57,751/yr
Rent as % of income
30.5%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,813, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,444/mo in rent. Milwaukee's median rent of $1,469 exceeds that threshold by $25/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 52.9 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 Milwaukee, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Waukesha, WI
$1,467/mo (30.5% of income)
West Allis, WI
$1,454/mo (30.2% of income)
Waukesha, WI
$1,449/mo (30.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Milwaukee

View full rent data for Milwaukee, WI

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Milwaukee is $1,469 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Wisconsin earns about $57,751 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% 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 Milwaukee?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Wisconsin (~$57,751/yr) supports up to $1,444 a month in rent. Milwaukee's current median rent is $1,469/mo, which is $25/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Wisconsin works roughly 52.9 hours a month to cover Milwaukee's median rent of $1,469.

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

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Waukesha ($1,467/mo), West Allis ($1,454/mo), Waukesha ($1,449/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 Milwaukee, WI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.