Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Tampa, FL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 49.8% of gross income.
Tampa 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 Tampa, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tampa
View full rent data for Tampa, FL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Tampa, FL?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,999 a month. A typical bus driver in Florida earns about $48,193 a year, which makes that rent 49.8% 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 Tampa?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Florida (~$48,193/yr) supports up to $1,205 a month in rent. Tampa's current median rent is $1,999/mo, which is $794/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Tampa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Florida works roughly 86.3 hours a month to cover Tampa's median rent of $1,999.
Where is rent cheaper than Tampa for a bus driver?
Nearby Florida cities with lower median rent include Destin ($1,998/mo), Doral ($1,998/mo), Oldsmar ($1,998/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.