Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Washington, DC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.9% of gross income.
Washington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (District of Columbia 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.
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, DC →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Washington, DC?
Median rent in Washington is $2,532 a month. A typical bus driver in District of Columbia earns about $64,775 a year, which makes that rent 46.9% 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 Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in District of Columbia (~$64,775/yr) supports up to $1,619 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,532/mo, which is $913/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $31 an hour, a bus driver in District of Columbia works roughly 81.3 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,532.