Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Chicago, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.4% of gross income.
Chicago rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Chicago, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chicago
View full rent data for Chicago, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
Median rent in Chicago is $2,409 a month. A typical physical therapist in Illinois earns about $101,704 a year, which makes that rent 28.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Chicago?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Illinois (~$101,704/yr) supports up to $2,543 a month in rent. Chicago's current median rent is $2,409/mo, which leaves a $134/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Chicago?
At an hourly equivalent of about $49 an hour, a physical therapist in Illinois works roughly 49.3 hours a month to cover Chicago's median rent of $2,409.
Where is rent cheaper than Chicago for a physical therapist?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Downers Grove ($2,408/mo), Barrington ($2,407/mo), Downers Grove ($2,407/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.