Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Santa Monica, CA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.9% of gross income.
Santa Monica 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 Monica, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Monica
View full rent data for Santa Monica, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Santa Monica, CA?
Median rent in Santa Monica is $3,517 a month. A typical physical therapist in California earns about $117,658 a year, which makes that rent 35.9% 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 Santa Monica?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in California (~$117,658/yr) supports up to $2,941 a month in rent. Santa Monica's current median rent is $3,517/mo, which is $576/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Santa Monica?
At an hourly equivalent of about $57 an hour, a physical therapist in California works roughly 62.2 hours a month to cover Santa Monica's median rent of $3,517.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Monica for a physical therapist?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Granite Bay ($3,516/mo), Marina ($3,513/mo), Morgan Hill ($3,512/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.