Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.6% of gross income.
Tuscaloosa rent: July 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 Tuscaloosa, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tuscaloosa
View full rent data for Tuscaloosa, AL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Median rent in Tuscaloosa is $1,396 a month. A typical bus driver in Alabama earns about $44,565 a year, which makes that rent 37.6% 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 Tuscaloosa?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Alabama (~$44,565/yr) supports up to $1,114 a month in rent. Tuscaloosa's current median rent is $1,396/mo, which is $282/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Tuscaloosa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a bus driver in Alabama works roughly 65.2 hours a month to cover Tuscaloosa's median rent of $1,396.
Where is rent cheaper than Tuscaloosa for a bus driver?
Nearby Alabama cities with lower median rent include Gulf Shores ($1,395/mo), Grayson Valley ($1,393/mo), Gulf Shores ($1,392/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.