Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Hilo, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.9% of gross income.
Hilo rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Hawaii 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 Hawaii cities have lower median rent than Hilo, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Hilo
View full rent data for Hilo, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Hilo, HI?
Median rent in Hilo is $2,095 a month. A typical bus driver in Hawaii earns about $55,966 a year, which makes that rent 44.9% 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 Hilo?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Hawaii (~$55,966/yr) supports up to $1,399 a month in rent. Hilo's current median rent is $2,095/mo, which is $696/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Hilo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a bus driver in Hawaii works roughly 77.9 hours a month to cover Hilo's median rent of $2,095.
Where is rent cheaper than Hilo for a bus driver?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Wahiawa ($2,093/mo), Wahiawa ($2,087/mo), Waianae ($2,086/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.