Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Boise, ID?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 47% of gross income.
Boise rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Idaho 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 Idaho cities have lower median rent than Boise, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boise
View full rent data for Boise, ID →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Boise, ID?
Median rent in Boise is $1,808 a month. A typical bus driver in Idaho earns about $46,120 a year, which makes that rent 47% 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 Boise?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Idaho (~$46,120/yr) supports up to $1,153 a month in rent. Boise's current median rent is $1,808/mo, which is $655/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Boise?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Idaho works roughly 81.5 hours a month to cover Boise's median rent of $1,808.
Where is rent cheaper than Boise for a bus driver?
Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Coeur d'Alene ($1,807/mo), Rathdrum ($1,791/mo), Rathdrum ($1,787/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.