Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Rapid City, SD?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 19.7% of gross income.
Rapid City rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Dakota 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 South Dakota cities have lower median rent than Rapid City, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rapid City
View full rent data for Rapid City, SD →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Rapid City, SD?
Median rent in Rapid City is $1,443 a month. A typical physical therapist in South Dakota earns about $87,745 a year, which makes that rent 19.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Rapid City?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in South Dakota (~$87,745/yr) supports up to $2,194 a month in rent. Rapid City's current median rent is $1,443/mo, which leaves a $751/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Rapid City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $42 an hour, a physical therapist in South Dakota works roughly 34.2 hours a month to cover Rapid City's median rent of $1,443.
Where is rent cheaper than Rapid City for a physical therapist?
Nearby South Dakota cities with lower median rent include Box Elder ($1,441/mo), Brookings ($1,434/mo), Harrisburg ($1,431/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.