Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Birmingham, AL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.1% of gross income.
Birmingham rent: September 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 Birmingham, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Birmingham
View full rent data for Birmingham, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Birmingham, AL?
Median rent in Birmingham is $1,305 a month. A typical bus driver in Alabama earns about $44,565 a year, which makes that rent 35.1% 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 Birmingham?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Alabama (~$44,565/yr) supports up to $1,114 a month in rent. Birmingham's current median rent is $1,305/mo, which is $191/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Birmingham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a bus driver in Alabama works roughly 60.9 hours a month to cover Birmingham's median rent of $1,305.
Where is rent cheaper than Birmingham for a bus driver?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Homewood ($1,304/mo), Forestdale ($1,304/mo), Huntsville ($1,304/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.