Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Lakeland, FL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.1% of gross income.
Lakeland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Florida 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 Florida cities have lower median rent than Lakeland, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lakeland
View full rent data for Lakeland, FL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
Median rent in Lakeland is $1,689 a month. A typical bus driver in Florida earns about $48,193 a year, which makes that rent 42.1% 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 Lakeland?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Florida (~$48,193/yr) supports up to $1,205 a month in rent. Lakeland's current median rent is $1,689/mo, which is $484/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Lakeland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Florida works roughly 72.9 hours a month to cover Lakeland's median rent of $1,689.
Where is rent cheaper than Lakeland for a bus driver?
Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Panama City ($1,688/mo), Davie ($1,688/mo), Fleming Island ($1,688/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.