Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Downey, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.4% of gross income.
Downey rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (California 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 California cities have lower median rent than Downey, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Downey
View full rent data for Downey, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Downey, CA?
Median rent in Downey is $2,312 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 45.4% 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 Downey?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. Downey's current median rent is $2,312/mo, which is $783/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Downey?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 78.6 hours a month to cover Downey's median rent of $2,312.
Where is rent cheaper than Downey for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Loma Linda ($2,311/mo), Loma Linda ($2,311/mo), Bellflower ($2,311/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.