Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Honolulu, HI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 57% of gross income.
Honolulu 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 Honolulu, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Honolulu
View full rent data for Honolulu, HI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Honolulu, HI?
Median rent in Honolulu is $2,660 a month. A typical bus driver in Hawaii earns about $55,966 a year, which makes that rent 57% 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 Honolulu?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Hawaii (~$55,966/yr) supports up to $1,399 a month in rent. Honolulu's current median rent is $2,660/mo, which is $1,261/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Honolulu?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a bus driver in Hawaii works roughly 98.9 hours a month to cover Honolulu's median rent of $2,660.
Where is rent cheaper than Honolulu for a bus driver?
Nearby Hawaii cities with lower median rent include Waipahu ($2,657/mo), Mililani ($2,653/mo), Kailua ($2,650/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.