Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Chelsea, AL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 57.9% of gross income.
Chelsea 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 Chelsea, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelsea
View full rent data for Chelsea, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Chelsea, AL?
Median rent in Chelsea is $2,151 a month. A typical bus driver in Alabama earns about $44,565 a year, which makes that rent 57.9% 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 Chelsea?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Alabama (~$44,565/yr) supports up to $1,114 a month in rent. Chelsea's current median rent is $2,151/mo, which is $1,037/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Chelsea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a bus driver in Alabama works roughly 100.4 hours a month to cover Chelsea's median rent of $2,151.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelsea for a bus driver?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Pike Road ($2,137/mo), Fairhope ($2,136/mo), Fairhope ($2,128/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.