Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Salem, OR?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.3% of gross income.
Salem 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Salem, OR?
Median rent in Salem is $1,585 a month. A typical physical therapist in Oregon earns about $103,698 a year, which makes that rent 18.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Oregon (~$103,698/yr) supports up to $2,592 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,585/mo, which leaves a $1,007/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $50 an hour, a physical therapist in Oregon works roughly 31.8 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,585.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a physical therapist?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Springfield ($1,584/mo), Springfield ($1,583/mo), Happy Valley ($1,582/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.