Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Sterling, VA?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.1% of gross income.

Sterling rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Sterling median rent
$2,718/mo
Physical Therapist salary (Virginia)
$101,704/yr
Rent as % of income
32.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $8,475, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,543/mo in rent. Sterling's median rent of $2,718 exceeds that threshold by $175/mo, putting a physical therapist salary into the rent-burdened range here. A physical therapist works roughly 55.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Sterling, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Springfield, VA
$2,716/mo (32% of income)
Ashburn, VA
$2,715/mo (32% of income)
Ashburn, VA
$2,707/mo (31.9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Sterling

View full rent data for Sterling, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Sterling, VA?

Median rent in Sterling is $2,718 a month. A typical physical therapist in Virginia earns about $101,704 a year, which makes that rent 32.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Sterling?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Virginia (~$101,704/yr) supports up to $2,543 a month in rent. Sterling's current median rent is $2,718/mo, which is $175/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a physical therapist work to cover rent in Sterling?

At an hourly equivalent of about $49 an hour, a physical therapist in Virginia works roughly 55.6 hours a month to cover Sterling's median rent of $2,718.

Where is rent cheaper than Sterling for a physical therapist?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Springfield ($2,716/mo), Ashburn ($2,715/mo), Ashburn ($2,707/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Virginia state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Sterling, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.