Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Altoona, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.8% of gross income.
Altoona rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Iowa 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 Iowa cities have lower median rent than Altoona, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Altoona
View full rent data for Altoona, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Altoona, IA?
Median rent in Altoona is $1,583 a month. A typical bus driver in Iowa earns about $47,674 a year, which makes that rent 39.8% 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 Altoona?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Iowa (~$47,674/yr) supports up to $1,192 a month in rent. Altoona's current median rent is $1,583/mo, which is $391/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Altoona?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Iowa works roughly 69.1 hours a month to cover Altoona's median rent of $1,583.
Where is rent cheaper than Altoona for a bus driver?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Iowa City ($1,582/mo), Iowa City ($1,570/mo), Waukee ($1,570/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.