Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Modesto, CA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39% of gross income.
Modesto 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 Modesto, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Modesto
View full rent data for Modesto, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Modesto, CA?
Median rent in Modesto is $1,986 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 39% 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 Modesto?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. Modesto's current median rent is $1,986/mo, which is $457/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Modesto?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 67.6 hours a month to cover Modesto's median rent of $1,986.
Where is rent cheaper than Modesto for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Huntington Park ($1,985/mo), Huntington Park ($1,985/mo), Ceres ($1,985/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.