Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in South Tucson, AZ?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.9% of gross income.

South Tucson rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona state estimate).

South Tucson median rent
$1,167/mo
Bus Driver salary (Arizona)
$50,265/yr
Rent as % of income
27.9%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,189, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,257/mo in rent. South Tucson's median rent of $1,167 leaves roughly $90/mo of headroom under that threshold. A bus driver works roughly 48.3 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Arizona cities have lower median rent than South Tucson, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:

Glendale, AZ
$1,153/mo (27.5% of income)
Tucson, AZ
$1,107/mo (26.4% of income)
Casa Grande, AZ
$1,103/mo (26.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for South Tucson

View full rent data for South Tucson, AZ

Frequently asked questions

Can a bus driver afford rent in South Tucson, AZ?

Median rent in South Tucson is $1,167 a month. A typical bus driver in Arizona earns about $50,265 a year, which makes that rent 27.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a bus driver afford in South Tucson?

Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Arizona (~$50,265/yr) supports up to $1,257 a month in rent. South Tucson's current median rent is $1,167/mo, which leaves a $90/mo buffer.

How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in South Tucson?

At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Arizona works roughly 48.3 hours a month to cover South Tucson's median rent of $1,167.

Where is rent cheaper than South Tucson for a bus driver?

Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include Glendale ($1,153/mo), Tucson ($1,107/mo), Casa Grande ($1,103/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Arizona state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for South Tucson, AZ. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.