Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Chico, CA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 16.1% of gross income.
Chico rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).
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 California cities have lower median rent than Chico, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chico
View full rent data for Chico, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Chico, CA?
Median rent in Chico is $1,577 a month. A typical physical therapist in California earns about $117,658 a year, which makes that rent 16.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Chico?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in California (~$117,658/yr) supports up to $2,941 a month in rent. Chico's current median rent is $1,577/mo, which leaves a $1,364/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Chico?
At an hourly equivalent of about $57 an hour, a physical therapist in California works roughly 27.9 hours a month to cover Chico's median rent of $1,577.
Where is rent cheaper than Chico for a physical therapist?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Moreno Valley ($1,576/mo), Hawthorne ($1,576/mo), Arcata ($1,576/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.