Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in San Diego, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 59.6% of gross income.
San Diego 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 San Diego, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for San Diego
View full rent data for San Diego, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in San Diego, CA?
Median rent in San Diego is $3,038 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 59.6% 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 San Diego?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. San Diego's current median rent is $3,038/mo, which is $1,509/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in San Diego?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 103.3 hours a month to cover San Diego's median rent of $3,038.
Where is rent cheaper than San Diego for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Healdsburg ($3,037/mo), San Bruno ($3,037/mo), Berkeley ($3,037/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.