Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Denver, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.4% of gross income.
Denver rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado 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 Colorado cities have lower median rent than Denver, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Denver
View full rent data for Denver, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Denver, CO?
Median rent in Denver is $1,877 a month. A typical bus driver in Colorado earns about $54,411 a year, which makes that rent 41.4% 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 Denver?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Colorado (~$54,411/yr) supports up to $1,360 a month in rent. Denver's current median rent is $1,877/mo, which is $517/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Denver?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a bus driver in Colorado works roughly 71.8 hours a month to cover Denver's median rent of $1,877.
Where is rent cheaper than Denver for a bus driver?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Thornton ($1,876/mo), Longmont ($1,875/mo), Thornton ($1,875/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.