Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Appleton, WI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 15% of gross income.

Appleton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin state estimate).

Appleton median rent
$1,187/mo
Physical Therapist salary (Wisconsin)
$94,725/yr
Rent as % of income
15%
Gross monthly income works out to about $7,894, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,368/mo in rent. Appleton's median rent of $1,187 leaves roughly $1,181/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 26.1 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Appleton, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Janesville, WI
$1,186/mo (15% of income)
Stevens Point, WI
$1,186/mo (15% of income)
Fond du Lac, WI
$1,186/mo (15% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Appleton

View full rent data for Appleton, WI

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Appleton, WI?

Median rent in Appleton is $1,187 a month. A typical physical therapist in Wisconsin earns about $94,725 a year, which makes that rent 15% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Appleton?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Wisconsin (~$94,725/yr) supports up to $2,368 a month in rent. Appleton's current median rent is $1,187/mo, which leaves a $1,181/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $46 an hour, a physical therapist in Wisconsin works roughly 26.1 hours a month to cover Appleton's median rent of $1,187.

Where is rent cheaper than Appleton for a physical therapist?

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Janesville ($1,186/mo), Stevens Point ($1,186/mo), Fond du Lac ($1,186/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a physical therapist salary.

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