Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Palmdale, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.4% of gross income.
Palmdale 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 Palmdale, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Palmdale
View full rent data for Palmdale, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Palmdale, CA?
Median rent in Palmdale is $2,720 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 53.4% 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 Palmdale?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. Palmdale's current median rent is $2,720/mo, which is $1,191/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Palmdale?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 92.5 hours a month to cover Palmdale's median rent of $2,720.
Where is rent cheaper than Palmdale for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Cathedral City ($2,718/mo), Hollister ($2,717/mo), Hollister ($2,717/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.