Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in University City, MO?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 20% of gross income.

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

University City median rent
$1,527/mo
Physical Therapist salary (Missouri)
$91,733/yr
Rent as % of income
20%
Gross monthly income works out to about $7,644, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,293/mo in rent. University City's median rent of $1,527 leaves roughly $766/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 34.6 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 University City, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Republic, MO
$1,526/mo (20% of income)
Blue Springs, MO
$1,526/mo (20% of income)
Nixa, MO
$1,525/mo (19.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for University City

View full rent data for University City, MO

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in University City, MO?

Median rent in University City is $1,527 a month. A typical physical therapist in Missouri earns about $91,733 a year, which makes that rent 20% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

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

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Missouri (~$91,733/yr) supports up to $2,293 a month in rent. University City's current median rent is $1,527/mo, which leaves a $766/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $44 an hour, a physical therapist in Missouri works roughly 34.6 hours a month to cover University City's median rent of $1,527.

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

Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Republic ($1,526/mo), Blue Springs ($1,526/mo), Nixa ($1,525/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 University City, MO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.