Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in South San Francisco, CA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 80.2% of gross income.
South San Francisco 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 South San Francisco, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for South San Francisco
View full rent data for South San Francisco, CA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in South San Francisco, CA?
Median rent in South San Francisco is $4,088 a month. A typical bus driver in California earns about $61,148 a year, which makes that rent 80.2% 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 San Francisco?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in California (~$61,148/yr) supports up to $1,529 a month in rent. South San Francisco's current median rent is $4,088/mo, which is $2,559/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in South San Francisco?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in California works roughly 139.1 hours a month to cover South San Francisco's median rent of $4,088.
Where is rent cheaper than South San Francisco for a bus driver?
Nearby California cities with lower median rent include Cupertino ($4,086/mo), Aptos ($4,085/mo), Westlake Village ($4,083/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.