Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Santa Maria, CA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 25.7% of gross income.
Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Maria
View full rent data for Santa Maria, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Santa Maria, CA?
Median rent in Santa Maria is $2,520 a month. A typical physical therapist in California earns about $117,658 a year, which makes that rent 25.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Santa Maria?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in California (~$117,658/yr) supports up to $2,941 a month in rent. Santa Maria's current median rent is $2,520/mo, which leaves a $421/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Santa Maria?
At an hourly equivalent of about $57 an hour, a physical therapist in California works roughly 44.5 hours a month to cover Santa Maria's median rent of $2,520.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Maria for a physical therapist?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Daly City ($2,518/mo), Westmont ($2,518/mo), Monterey Park ($2,518/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.