Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Scotts Valley, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 84% of gross income.
Scotts Valley rent: July 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 Scotts Valley, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Scotts Valley
View full rent data for Scotts Valley, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Scotts Valley, CA?
Median rent in Scotts Valley is $4,278 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 84% 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 Scotts Valley?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. Scotts Valley's current median rent is $4,278/mo, which is $2,749/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Scotts Valley?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 145.5 hours a month to cover Scotts Valley's median rent of $4,278.
Where is rent cheaper than Scotts Valley for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Altadena ($4,275/mo), Carmel-by-the-Sea ($4,269/mo), Cupertino ($4,267/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.