Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Lakewood, CA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 35% of gross income.

Lakewood rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California state estimate).

Lakewood median rent
$3,430/mo
Physical Therapist salary (California)
$117,658/yr
Rent as % of income
35%
Gross monthly income works out to about $9,805, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,941/mo in rent. Lakewood's median rent of $3,430 exceeds that threshold by $489/mo, putting a physical therapist salary into the rent-burdened range here. A physical therapist works roughly 60.6 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 California cities have lower median rent than Lakewood, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Eastvale, CA
$3,428/mo (35% of income)
Redondo Beach, CA
$3,428/mo (35% of income)
Redondo Beach, CA
$3,427/mo (35% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Lakewood

View full rent data for Lakewood, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Lakewood, CA?

Median rent in Lakewood is $3,430 a month. A typical physical therapist in California earns about $117,658 a year, which makes that rent 35% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Lakewood?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in California (~$117,658/yr) supports up to $2,941 a month in rent. Lakewood's current median rent is $3,430/mo, which is $489/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $57 an hour, a physical therapist in California works roughly 60.6 hours a month to cover Lakewood's median rent of $3,430.

Where is rent cheaper than Lakewood for a physical therapist?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Eastvale ($3,428/mo), Redondo Beach ($3,428/mo), Redondo Beach ($3,427/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.

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