Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Tempe, AZ?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.7% of gross income.
Tempe rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Arizona 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 Arizona cities have lower median rent than Tempe, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tempe
View full rent data for Tempe, AZ →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Tempe, AZ?
Median rent in Tempe is $1,623 a month. A typical bus driver in Arizona earns about $50,265 a year, which makes that rent 38.7% 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 Tempe?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Arizona (~$50,265/yr) supports up to $1,257 a month in rent. Tempe's current median rent is $1,623/mo, which is $366/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Tempe?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Arizona works roughly 67.2 hours a month to cover Tempe's median rent of $1,623.
Where is rent cheaper than Tempe for a bus driver?
Nearby Arizona cities with lower median rent include South Tucson ($1,601/mo), Sahuarita ($1,590/mo), Coolidge ($1,586/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.