Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Portland, OR?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 19.9% of gross income.
Portland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon 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 Oregon cities have lower median rent than Portland, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portland
View full rent data for Portland, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Portland, OR?
Median rent in Portland is $1,721 a month. A typical physical therapist in Oregon earns about $103,698 a year, which makes that rent 19.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Portland?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Oregon (~$103,698/yr) supports up to $2,592 a month in rent. Portland's current median rent is $1,721/mo, which leaves a $871/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Portland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $50 an hour, a physical therapist in Oregon works roughly 34.5 hours a month to cover Portland's median rent of $1,721.
Where is rent cheaper than Portland for a physical therapist?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Independence ($1,720/mo), Forest Grove ($1,719/mo), Clackamas ($1,718/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.