Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Fairbanks, AK?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.6% of gross income.
Fairbanks rent: June 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 Fairbanks, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Fairbanks
View full rent data for Fairbanks, AK →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Fairbanks, AK?
Median rent in Fairbanks is $1,720 a month. A typical bus driver in Alaska earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 35.6% 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 Fairbanks?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Alaska (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Fairbanks's current median rent is $1,720/mo, which is $269/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Fairbanks?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in Alaska works roughly 61.6 hours a month to cover Fairbanks's median rent of $1,720.
Where is rent cheaper than Fairbanks for a bus driver?
Nearby Alaska cities with lower median rent include Wasilla ($1,718/mo), Anchorage ($1,716/mo), Wasilla ($1,715/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.