Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Melbourne, FL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.4% of gross income.
Melbourne 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 Melbourne, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Melbourne
View full rent data for Melbourne, FL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Melbourne, FL?
Median rent in Melbourne is $1,862 a month. A typical bus driver in Florida earns about $48,193 a year, which makes that rent 46.4% 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 Melbourne?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Florida (~$48,193/yr) supports up to $1,205 a month in rent. Melbourne's current median rent is $1,862/mo, which is $657/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Melbourne?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Florida works roughly 80.4 hours a month to cover Melbourne's median rent of $1,862.
Where is rent cheaper than Melbourne for a bus driver?
Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Orlando ($1,861/mo), Lauderdale Lakes ($1,861/mo), Palm Bay ($1,860/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.