Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Des Moines, WA?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.6% of gross income.

Des Moines rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).

Des Moines median rent
$2,013/mo
Physical Therapist salary (Washington)
$111,675/yr
Rent as % of income
21.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $9,306, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,792/mo in rent. Des Moines's median rent of $2,013 leaves roughly $779/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 37.5 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Des Moines, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Olympia, WA
$2,012/mo (21.6% of income)
Burlington, WA
$2,011/mo (21.6% of income)
Ridgefield, WA
$2,011/mo (21.6% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Des Moines

View full rent data for Des Moines, WA

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Des Moines, WA?

Median rent in Des Moines is $2,013 a month. A typical physical therapist in Washington earns about $111,675 a year, which makes that rent 21.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Des Moines?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Washington (~$111,675/yr) supports up to $2,792 a month in rent. Des Moines's current median rent is $2,013/mo, which leaves a $779/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $54 an hour, a physical therapist in Washington works roughly 37.5 hours a month to cover Des Moines's median rent of $2,013.

Where is rent cheaper than Des Moines for a physical therapist?

Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Olympia ($2,012/mo), Burlington ($2,011/mo), Ridgefield ($2,011/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.

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