Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in El Monte, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.1% of gross income.
El Monte rent: September 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 El Monte, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for El Monte
View full rent data for El Monte, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in El Monte, CA?
Median rent in El Monte is $2,451 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 48.1% 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 El Monte?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. El Monte's current median rent is $2,451/mo, which is $922/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in El Monte?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 83.4 hours a month to cover El Monte's median rent of $2,451.
Where is rent cheaper than El Monte for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Roseville ($2,450/mo), Inglewood ($2,450/mo), Benicia ($2,450/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.