Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in South San Francisco, CA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.7% of gross income.

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

South San Francisco median rent
$4,084/mo
Physical Therapist salary (California)
$117,658/yr
Rent as % of income
41.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $9,805, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,941/mo in rent. South San Francisco's median rent of $4,084 exceeds that threshold by $1,143/mo, putting a physical therapist salary into the rent-burdened range here. A physical therapist works roughly 72.2 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 San Francisco, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Westlake Village, CA
$4,083/mo (41.6% of income)
Yorba Linda, CA
$4,083/mo (41.6% of income)
Danville, CA
$4,079/mo (41.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for South San Francisco

View full rent data for South San Francisco, CA

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in South San Francisco, CA?

Median rent in South San Francisco is $4,084 a month. A typical physical therapist in California earns about $117,658 a year, which makes that rent 41.7% 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 South San Francisco?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in California (~$117,658/yr) supports up to $2,941 a month in rent. South San Francisco's current median rent is $4,084/mo, which is $1,143/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $57 an hour, a physical therapist in California works roughly 72.2 hours a month to cover South San Francisco's median rent of $4,084.

Where is rent cheaper than South San Francisco for a physical therapist?

Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Westlake Village ($4,083/mo), Yorba Linda ($4,083/mo), Danville ($4,079/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 San Francisco, CA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.