Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Saint Louis, MO?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.2% of gross income.

Saint Louis rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri state estimate).

Saint Louis median rent
$1,395/mo
Physical Therapist salary (Missouri)
$91,733/yr
Rent as % of income
18.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $7,644, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,293/mo in rent. Saint Louis's median rent of $1,395 leaves roughly $898/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 31.6 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 Missouri cities have lower median rent than Saint Louis, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Columbia, MO
$1,394/mo (18.2% of income)
Hazelwood, MO
$1,394/mo (18.2% of income)
Creve Coeur, MO
$1,393/mo (18.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Saint Louis

View full rent data for Saint Louis, MO

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Saint Louis, MO?

Median rent in Saint Louis is $1,395 a month. A typical physical therapist in Missouri earns about $91,733 a year, which makes that rent 18.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Saint Louis?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Missouri (~$91,733/yr) supports up to $2,293 a month in rent. Saint Louis's current median rent is $1,395/mo, which leaves a $898/mo buffer.

How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Saint Louis?

At an hourly equivalent of about $44 an hour, a physical therapist in Missouri works roughly 31.6 hours a month to cover Saint Louis's median rent of $1,395.

Where is rent cheaper than Saint Louis for a physical therapist?

Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Columbia ($1,394/mo), Hazelwood ($1,394/mo), Creve Coeur ($1,393/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.

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