Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Waterloo, IA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 11.7% of gross income.
Waterloo 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 Waterloo, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waterloo
View full rent data for Waterloo, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Waterloo, IA?
Median rent in Waterloo is $898 a month. A typical physical therapist in Iowa earns about $91,733 a year, which makes that rent 11.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Waterloo?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Iowa (~$91,733/yr) supports up to $2,293 a month in rent. Waterloo's current median rent is $898/mo, which leaves a $1,395/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Waterloo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $44 an hour, a physical therapist in Iowa works roughly 20.4 hours a month to cover Waterloo's median rent of $898.
Where is rent cheaper than Waterloo for a physical therapist?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Cedar Rapids ($897/mo), Marshalltown ($893/mo), Newton ($887/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.