Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Wilmington, DE?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.9% of gross income.
Wilmington rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Delaware 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 Delaware cities have lower median rent than Wilmington, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wilmington
View full rent data for Wilmington, DE →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Wilmington, DE?
Median rent in Wilmington is $1,757 a month. A typical bus driver in Delaware earns about $52,856 a year, which makes that rent 39.9% 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 Wilmington?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Delaware (~$52,856/yr) supports up to $1,321 a month in rent. Wilmington's current median rent is $1,757/mo, which is $436/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Wilmington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Delaware works roughly 69.1 hours a month to cover Wilmington's median rent of $1,757.
Where is rent cheaper than Wilmington for a bus driver?
Nearby Delaware cities with lower median rent include Bear ($1,749/mo), Claymont ($1,727/mo), New Castle ($1,716/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.