Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Anchorage, AK?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.1% of gross income.
Anchorage rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alaska state estimate).
About rent and a bus driver salary
Transit bus driver pay sits near the US median household income, with municipal and unionized routes often paying more. At the national-average bus driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,296 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Alaska cities have lower median rent than Anchorage, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Anchorage
View full rent data for Anchorage, AK →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Anchorage, AK?
Median rent in Anchorage is $1,845 a month. A typical bus driver in Alaska earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 38.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in Anchorage?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Alaska (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Anchorage's current median rent is $1,845/mo, which is $394/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Anchorage?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in Alaska works roughly 66.1 hours a month to cover Anchorage's median rent of $1,845.
Where is rent cheaper than Anchorage for a bus driver?
Nearby Alaska cities with lower median rent include Wasilla ($1,843/mo), Wasilla ($1,842/mo), Fairbanks ($1,837/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.