Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Monterey, CA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.8% of gross income.

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

Monterey median rent
$2,822/mo
Physical Therapist salary (California)
$117,658/yr
Rent as % of income
28.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $9,805, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,941/mo in rent. Monterey's median rent of $2,822 leaves roughly $119/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 49.9 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 Monterey, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Torrance, CA
$2,821/mo (28.8% of income)
Torrance, CA
$2,821/mo (28.8% of income)
La Verne, CA
$2,821/mo (28.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Monterey

View full rent data for Monterey, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Monterey, CA?

Median rent in Monterey is $2,822 a month. A typical physical therapist in California earns about $117,658 a year, which makes that rent 28.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Monterey?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in California (~$117,658/yr) supports up to $2,941 a month in rent. Monterey's current median rent is $2,822/mo, which leaves a $119/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $57 an hour, a physical therapist in California works roughly 49.9 hours a month to cover Monterey's median rent of $2,822.

Where is rent cheaper than Monterey for a physical therapist?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Torrance ($2,821/mo), Torrance ($2,821/mo), La Verne ($2,821/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 Monterey, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.