Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in South Pasadena, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 50.3% of gross income.
South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Pasadena
View full rent data for South Pasadena, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in South Pasadena, CA?
Median rent in South Pasadena is $2,565 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 50.3% 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 South Pasadena?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. South Pasadena's current median rent is $2,565/mo, which is $1,036/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in South Pasadena?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 87.3 hours a month to cover South Pasadena's median rent of $2,565.
Where is rent cheaper than South Pasadena for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Salinas ($2,564/mo), Pleasant Hill ($2,564/mo), Jurupa Valley ($2,564/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.