Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Ames, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 14.7% of gross income.
Ames rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Ames, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ames
View full rent data for Ames, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Ames, IA?
Median rent in Ames is $1,125 a month. A typical physical therapist in Iowa earns about $91,733 a year, which makes that rent 14.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Ames?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Iowa (~$91,733/yr) supports up to $2,293 a month in rent. Ames's current median rent is $1,125/mo, which leaves a $1,168/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Ames?
At an hourly equivalent of about $44 an hour, a physical therapist in Iowa works roughly 25.5 hours a month to cover Ames's median rent of $1,125.
Where is rent cheaper than Ames for a physical therapist?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Sioux City ($1,123/mo), Des Moines ($1,123/mo), Dubuque ($1,123/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.