Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Isla Vista, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 190.6% of gross income.
Isla Vista 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 Isla Vista, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Isla Vista
View full rent data for Isla Vista, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Isla Vista, CA?
Median rent in Isla Vista is $9,714 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 190.6% 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 Isla Vista?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. Isla Vista's current median rent is $9,714/mo, which is $8,185/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Isla Vista?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 330.4 hours a month to cover Isla Vista's median rent of $9,714.
Where is rent cheaper than Isla Vista for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Palos Verdes Estates ($8,898/mo), Palos Verdes Estates ($8,500/mo), Palos Verdes Estates ($8,410/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.