Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Pelham, AL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.7% of gross income.
Pelham 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 Pelham, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Pelham
View full rent data for Pelham, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Pelham, AL?
Median rent in Pelham is $1,808 a month. A typical bus driver in Alabama earns about $44,565 a year, which makes that rent 48.7% 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 Pelham?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Alabama (~$44,565/yr) supports up to $1,114 a month in rent. Pelham's current median rent is $1,808/mo, which is $694/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Pelham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a bus driver in Alabama works roughly 84.4 hours a month to cover Pelham's median rent of $1,808.
Where is rent cheaper than Pelham for a bus driver?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Vestavia Hills ($1,807/mo), Helena ($1,806/mo), Moody ($1,806/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.