Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Chattanooga, TN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 19.7% of gross income.
Chattanooga rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Chattanooga, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chattanooga
View full rent data for Chattanooga, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
Median rent in Chattanooga is $1,505 a month. A typical physical therapist in Tennessee earns about $91,733 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 Chattanooga?
Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Tennessee (~$91,733/yr) supports up to $2,293 a month in rent. Chattanooga's current median rent is $1,505/mo, which leaves a $788/mo buffer.
How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Chattanooga?
At an hourly equivalent of about $44 an hour, a physical therapist in Tennessee works roughly 34.1 hours a month to cover Chattanooga's median rent of $1,505.
Where is rent cheaper than Chattanooga for a physical therapist?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Morristown ($1,502/mo), Cordova ($1,500/mo), Smithville ($1,500/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.