Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Malibu, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 258.3% of gross income.
Malibu 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 Malibu, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Malibu
View full rent data for Malibu, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Malibu, CA?
Median rent in Malibu is $13,161 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 258.3% 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 Malibu?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. Malibu's current median rent is $13,161/mo, which is $11,632/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Malibu?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 447.7 hours a month to cover Malibu's median rent of $13,161.
Where is rent cheaper than Malibu for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Isla Vista ($9,714/mo), Isla Vista ($9,682/mo), Isla Vista ($9,431/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.