Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Council Bluffs, IA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.9% of gross income.
Council Bluffs rent: June 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 Council Bluffs, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Council Bluffs
View full rent data for Council Bluffs, IA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Council Bluffs, IA?
Median rent in Council Bluffs is $1,348 a month. A typical bus driver in Iowa earns about $47,674 a year, which makes that rent 33.9% 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 Council Bluffs?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Iowa (~$47,674/yr) supports up to $1,192 a month in rent. Council Bluffs's current median rent is $1,348/mo, which is $156/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Council Bluffs?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Iowa works roughly 58.8 hours a month to cover Council Bluffs's median rent of $1,348.
Where is rent cheaper than Council Bluffs for a bus driver?
Nearby Iowa cities with lower median rent include Cedar Falls ($1,347/mo), West Des Moines ($1,346/mo), Pleasant Hill ($1,346/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.