Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Missoula, MT?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.2% of gross income.

Missoula rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana state estimate).

Missoula median rent
$1,550/mo
Physical Therapist salary (Montana)
$87,745/yr
Rent as % of income
21.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $7,312, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,194/mo in rent. Missoula's median rent of $1,550 leaves roughly $644/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 36.7 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Missoula, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Helena, MT
$1,491/mo (20.4% of income)
Helena, MT
$1,490/mo (20.4% of income)
Helena, MT
$1,490/mo (20.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Missoula

View full rent data for Missoula, MT

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Missoula, MT?

Median rent in Missoula is $1,550 a month. A typical physical therapist in Montana earns about $87,745 a year, which makes that rent 21.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Missoula?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Montana (~$87,745/yr) supports up to $2,194 a month in rent. Missoula's current median rent is $1,550/mo, which leaves a $644/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $42 an hour, a physical therapist in Montana works roughly 36.7 hours a month to cover Missoula's median rent of $1,550.

Where is rent cheaper than Missoula for a physical therapist?

Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Helena ($1,491/mo), Helena ($1,490/mo), Helena ($1,490/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.

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