Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Merced, CA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.5% of gross income.
Merced 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 Merced, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Merced
View full rent data for Merced, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Merced, CA?
Median rent in Merced is $1,964 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 38.5% 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 Merced?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. Merced's current median rent is $1,964/mo, which is $435/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Merced?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 66.8 hours a month to cover Merced's median rent of $1,964.
Where is rent cheaper than Merced for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Stockton ($1,963/mo), Stockton ($1,962/mo), Banning ($1,962/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.