Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Durham, NC?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.8% of gross income.
Durham rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina 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 North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Durham, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Durham
View full rent data for Durham, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Durham, NC?
Median rent in Durham is $1,700 a month. A typical physical therapist in North Carolina earns about $93,727 a year, which makes that rent 21.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Durham?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in North Carolina (~$93,727/yr) supports up to $2,343 a month in rent. Durham's current median rent is $1,700/mo, which leaves a $643/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Durham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $45 an hour, a physical therapist in North Carolina works roughly 37.7 hours a month to cover Durham's median rent of $1,700.
Where is rent cheaper than Durham for a physical therapist?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Knightdale ($1,699/mo), Chapel Hill ($1,699/mo), Morehead City ($1,699/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.