Can A Physical Therapist Afford Rent in Milwaukee, WI?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.6% of gross income.

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

Milwaukee median rent
$1,469/mo
Physical Therapist salary (Wisconsin)
$94,725/yr
Rent as % of income
18.6%
Gross monthly income works out to about $7,894, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,368/mo in rent. Milwaukee's median rent of $1,469 leaves roughly $899/mo of headroom under that threshold. A physical therapist works roughly 32.3 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 Milwaukee, which improves the affordability math on a physical therapist salary:

Waukesha, WI
$1,467/mo (18.6% of income)
West Allis, WI
$1,454/mo (18.4% of income)
Waukesha, WI
$1,449/mo (18.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Milwaukee

View full rent data for Milwaukee, WI

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?

Median rent in Milwaukee is $1,469 a month. A typical physical therapist in Wisconsin earns about $94,725 a year, which makes that rent 18.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a physical therapist afford in Milwaukee?

Using the 30% rule, a physical therapist salary in Wisconsin (~$94,725/yr) supports up to $2,368 a month in rent. Milwaukee's current median rent is $1,469/mo, which leaves a $899/mo buffer.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $46 an hour, a physical therapist in Wisconsin works roughly 32.3 hours a month to cover Milwaukee's median rent of $1,469.

Where is rent cheaper than Milwaukee for a physical therapist?

Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Waukesha ($1,467/mo), West Allis ($1,454/mo), Waukesha ($1,449/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 Milwaukee, WI. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.