Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Austin, AR?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.3% of gross income.
Austin rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arkansas 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 Arkansas cities have lower median rent than Austin, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Austin
View full rent data for Austin, AR →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Austin, AR?
Median rent in Austin is $1,123 a month. A typical bus driver in Arkansas earns about $43,011 a year, which makes that rent 31.3% 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 Austin?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Arkansas (~$43,011/yr) supports up to $1,075 a month in rent. Austin's current median rent is $1,123/mo, which is $48/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Austin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a bus driver in Arkansas works roughly 54.3 hours a month to cover Austin's median rent of $1,123.
Where is rent cheaper than Austin for a bus driver?
Nearby Arkansas cities with lower median rent include North Little Rock ($1,122/mo), Jonesboro ($1,117/mo), Hot Springs ($1,117/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.