Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Bessemer, AL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.7% of gross income.
Bessemer 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 Bessemer, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bessemer
View full rent data for Bessemer, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Bessemer, AL?
Median rent in Bessemer is $1,400 a month. A typical bus driver in Alabama earns about $44,565 a year, which makes that rent 37.7% 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 Bessemer?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Alabama (~$44,565/yr) supports up to $1,114 a month in rent. Bessemer's current median rent is $1,400/mo, which is $286/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Bessemer?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a bus driver in Alabama works roughly 65.3 hours a month to cover Bessemer's median rent of $1,400.
Where is rent cheaper than Bessemer for a bus driver?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Hazel Green ($1,397/mo), Gulf Shores ($1,395/mo), Grayson Valley ($1,393/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.