Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in South Pasadena, CA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 26.2% of gross income.

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

South Pasadena median rent
$2,565/mo
Physical Therapist salary (California)
$117,658/yr
Rent as % of income
26.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $9,805, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,941/mo in rent. South Pasadena's median rent of $2,565 leaves roughly $376/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 45.3 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 South Pasadena, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Salinas, CA
$2,564/mo (26.2% of income)
Pleasant Hill, CA
$2,564/mo (26.2% of income)
Jurupa Valley, CA
$2,564/mo (26.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for South Pasadena

View full rent data for South Pasadena, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in South Pasadena, CA?

Median rent in South Pasadena is $2,565 a month. A typical physical therapist in California earns about $117,658 a year, which makes that rent 26.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in South Pasadena?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in California (~$117,658/yr) supports up to $2,941 a month in rent. South Pasadena's current median rent is $2,565/mo, which leaves a $376/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $57 an hour, a physical therapist in California works roughly 45.3 hours a month to cover South Pasadena's median rent of $2,565.

Where is rent cheaper than South Pasadena for a physical therapist?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Salinas ($2,564/mo), Pleasant Hill ($2,564/mo), Jurupa Valley ($2,564/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 South Pasadena, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.