Salary guide · US
Nurse salary in Chicago: can you afford rent?
A Nurse in Chicago typically earns $45,000–$84,000/year, with a median around $59,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is $2,000/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Nurse salary of $59,000/year, spending on median Chicago rent ($2,000/mo) would take up 41% of gross income. That exceeds the 30% guideline significantly — housing would be a stretch burden.
Nurse salary range in Chicago
$45,000
Entry level
lower quartile
$59,000
Typical
median estimate
$84,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Registered nurses provide patient care in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Chicago.
How much rent can a Nurse afford?
Rent landscape in Chicago
$1,000
Budget
cheapest 10%
$2,000
Median
most common
$3,200
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. US Census ACS 2023 + Zillow Observed Rent Index · 2023–2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Nurse earn in Chicago?
A Nurse in Chicago typically earns between $45,000 and $84,000/year, with a median around $59,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Nurse afford to live in Chicago?
At a typical Nurse salary of $59,000/year, median Chicago rent ($2,000/month) takes up 41% of gross income — significantly above the 30% guideline, making housing a financial stretch. Budget options in Chicago start around $1,000/month.
How much rent can a Nurse afford in Chicago?
On a median Nurse salary of $59,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is $1,475/month. Compared to Chicago's median rent of $2,000/month, this means some budget trade-offs will be necessary — look at areas below the city median.
Other professions in Chicago
Nurse salary in other cities