Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Santa Clara, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 77.7% of gross income.
Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Clara
View full rent data for Santa Clara, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Santa Clara, CA?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $3,958 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 77.7% 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 Santa Clara?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. Santa Clara's current median rent is $3,958/mo, which is $2,429/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Santa Clara?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 134.6 hours a month to cover Santa Clara's median rent of $3,958.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Clara for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include San Carlos ($3,957/mo), Marina del Rey ($3,956/mo), San Carlos ($3,955/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.