Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Tucson, AZ?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.7% of gross income.

Tucson rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona state estimate).

Tucson median rent
$1,425/mo
Physical Therapist salary (Arizona)
$96,719/yr
Rent as % of income
17.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $8,060, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,418/mo in rent. Tucson's median rent of $1,425 leaves roughly $993/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 30.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a physical therapist salary

Physical therapist pay covers comfortable rent across most US metros. At the national-average PT salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,493 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities tracked here.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Arizona cities have lower median rent than Tucson, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Sierra Vista, AZ
$1,423/mo (17.7% of income)
Youngtown, AZ
$1,423/mo (17.7% of income)
Kingman, AZ
$1,422/mo (17.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Tucson

View full rent data for Tucson, AZ

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Tucson, AZ?

Median rent in Tucson is $1,425 a month. A typical physical therapist in Arizona earns about $96,719 a year, which makes that rent 17.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Tucson?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Arizona (~$96,719/yr) supports up to $2,418 a month in rent. Tucson's current median rent is $1,425/mo, which leaves a $993/mo buffer.

How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Tucson?

At an hourly equivalent of about $46 an hour, a physical therapist in Arizona works roughly 30.6 hours a month to cover Tucson's median rent of $1,425.

Where is rent cheaper than Tucson for a physical therapist?

Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Sierra Vista ($1,423/mo), Youngtown ($1,423/mo), Kingman ($1,422/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.

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