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

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.4% of gross income.

Waukesha rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).

Waukesha median rent
$1,509/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Wisconsin)
$57,751/yr
Rent as % of income
31.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,813, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,444/mo in rent. Waukesha's median rent of $1,509 exceeds that threshold by $65/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 54.3 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 Waukesha, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Menomonee Falls, WI
$1,504/mo (31.3% of income)
Oconomowoc, WI
$1,501/mo (31.2% of income)
Oconomowoc, WI
$1,495/mo (31.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Waukesha

View full rent data for Waukesha, WI

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Waukesha is $1,509 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Wisconsin earns about $57,751 a year, which makes that rent 31.4% 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 Waukesha?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Wisconsin (~$57,751/yr) supports up to $1,444 a month in rent. Waukesha's current median rent is $1,509/mo, which is $65/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Wisconsin works roughly 54.3 hours a month to cover Waukesha's median rent of $1,509.

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

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Menomonee Falls ($1,504/mo), Oconomowoc ($1,501/mo), Oconomowoc ($1,495/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 Waukesha, WI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.