25 Best Cities for Physical Therapists in 2026
Physical therapists enjoy a stable job market driven by aging demographics and sports medicine growth. The best cities combine demand, manageable student loan burdens relative to income, and a strong quality of life. Affordability matters significantly for PTs, since salaries are solid but not as high as physicians or engineers.
Methodology
Scoring weights: rent-to-income ratio (35%, inverted), median income (25%), unemployment rate (25%, inverted), violent crime rate (15%, inverted).
Laconia
New Hampshire
Median Income
$97,692
Median Rent
$1,037/mo
Rent/Income
13%
Unemployment
2.1%
Heber
Utah
Median Income
$134,986
Median Rent
$2,434/mo
Rent/Income
22%
Unemployment
2.5%
Bismarck
North Dakota
Median Income
$83,440
Median Rent
$951/mo
Rent/Income
14%
Unemployment
2.0%
Concord
New Hampshire
Median Income
$92,110
Median Rent
$1,398/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.0%
Keene
New Hampshire
Median Income
$89,314
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
Rent/Income
17%
Unemployment
2.3%
Manchester-Nashua
New Hampshire
Median Income
$103,727
Median Rent
$1,668/mo
Rent/Income
19%
Unemployment
2.4%
Lexington Park
Maryland
Median Income
$116,297
Median Rent
$1,718/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.0%
Burlington-South Burlington
Vermont
Median Income
$95,497
Median Rent
$1,604/mo
Rent/Income
20%
Unemployment
1.6%
Torrington
Connecticut
Median Income
$91,020
Median Rent
$1,141/mo
Rent/Income
15%
Unemployment
3.0%
Lebanon-Claremont
New Hampshire
Median Income
$78,937
Median Rent
$1,218/mo
Rent/Income
19%
Unemployment
1.9%
Watertown-Fort Atkinson
Wisconsin
Median Income
$82,864
Median Rent
$953/mo
Rent/Income
14%
Unemployment
2.5%
Portland-South Portland
Maine
Median Income
$92,117
Median Rent
$1,551/mo
Rent/Income
20%
Unemployment
2.2%
Ogden
Utah
Median Income
$100,461
Median Rent
$1,528/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.5%
Appleton
Wisconsin
Median Income
$83,966
Median Rent
$1,087/mo
Rent/Income
16%
Unemployment
2.3%
Sioux Falls
South Dakota
Median Income
$76,226
Median Rent
$988/mo
Rent/Income
16%
Unemployment
1.7%
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury
Connecticut
Median Income
$111,058
Median Rent
$1,862/mo
Rent/Income
20%
Unemployment
3.1%
Provo-Orem-Lehi
Utah
Median Income
$100,791
Median Rent
$1,556/mo
Rent/Income
19%
Unemployment
2.7%
Fargo
North Dakota
Median Income
$72,889
Median Rent
$989/mo
Rent/Income
16%
Unemployment
1.9%
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington
Minnesota
Median Income
$95,102
Median Rent
$1,427/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.6%
Grand Forks
North Dakota
Median Income
$71,529
Median Rent
$908/mo
Rent/Income
15%
Unemployment
2.2%
Kapaa
Hawaii
Median Income
$103,564
Median Rent
$1,816/mo
Rent/Income
21%
Unemployment
2.6%
Sheboygan
Wisconsin
Median Income
$72,902
Median Rent
$895/mo
Rent/Income
15%
Unemployment
2.3%
Logan
Utah
Median Income
$85,111
Median Rent
$1,253/mo
Rent/Income
18%
Unemployment
2.4%
Grand Island
Nebraska
Median Income
$70,919
Median Rent
$947/mo
Rent/Income
16%
Unemployment
2.2%
Faribault-Northfield
Minnesota
Median Income
$81,455
Median Rent
$1,028/mo
Rent/Income
15%
Unemployment
2.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
Which settings pay physical therapists the most?
Home health and travel PT contracts typically pay the most, followed by acute care hospitals. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and sports medicine settings pay somewhat less but offer more predictable schedules.
Is travel PT a good way to experience different cities?
Absolutely. Travel PT contracts typically run 13 weeks and often include housing stipends, making it an excellent way to explore different metros before committing to one.
Are there shortages of physical therapists in certain areas?
Yes. Rural areas and underserved communities face significant PT shortages, which drives higher salaries and loan forgiveness opportunities for those willing to practice outside major metros.