Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Athens, AL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.5% of gross income.
Athens rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Alabama 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 Alabama cities have lower median rent than Athens, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Athens
View full rent data for Athens, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Athens, AL?
Median rent in Athens is $1,468 a month. A typical bus driver in Alabama earns about $44,565 a year, which makes that rent 39.5% 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 Athens?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Alabama (~$44,565/yr) supports up to $1,114 a month in rent. Athens's current median rent is $1,468/mo, which is $354/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Athens?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a bus driver in Alabama works roughly 68.5 hours a month to cover Athens's median rent of $1,468.
Where is rent cheaper than Athens for a bus driver?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Northport ($1,467/mo), Tuscaloosa ($1,466/mo), Tuscaloosa ($1,465/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.