Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Iowa City, IA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 17.1% of gross income.

Iowa City rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa state estimate).

Iowa City median rent
$1,308/mo
Physical Therapist salary (Iowa)
$91,733/yr
Rent as % of income
17.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $7,644, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,293/mo in rent. Iowa City's median rent of $1,308 leaves roughly $985/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 29.7 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Iowa City, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

West Des Moines, IA
$1,304/mo (17.1% of income)
Urbandale, IA
$1,298/mo (17% of income)
Bettendorf, IA
$1,295/mo (16.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Iowa City

View full rent data for Iowa City, IA

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Iowa City, IA?

Median rent in Iowa City is $1,308 a month. A typical physical therapist in Iowa earns about $91,733 a year, which makes that rent 17.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Iowa City?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Iowa (~$91,733/yr) supports up to $2,293 a month in rent. Iowa City's current median rent is $1,308/mo, which leaves a $985/mo buffer.

How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Iowa City?

At an hourly equivalent of about $44 an hour, a physical therapist in Iowa works roughly 29.7 hours a month to cover Iowa City's median rent of $1,308.

Where is rent cheaper than Iowa City for a physical therapist?

Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include West Des Moines ($1,304/mo), Urbandale ($1,298/mo), Bettendorf ($1,295/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Iowa state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Iowa City, IA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.