Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Carol Stream, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.6% of gross income.
Carol Stream rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois 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 Illinois cities have lower median rent than Carol Stream, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Carol Stream
View full rent data for Carol Stream, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Carol Stream, IL?
Median rent in Carol Stream is $1,834 a month. A typical bus driver in Illinois earns about $52,856 a year, which makes that rent 41.6% 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 Carol Stream?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Illinois (~$52,856/yr) supports up to $1,321 a month in rent. Carol Stream's current median rent is $1,834/mo, which is $513/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Carol Stream?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Illinois works roughly 72.2 hours a month to cover Carol Stream's median rent of $1,834.
Where is rent cheaper than Carol Stream for a bus driver?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Round Lake Beach ($1,833/mo), Elmwood Park ($1,833/mo), Lisle ($1,832/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.