Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Chatham, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.7% of gross income.
Chatham 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 Chatham, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chatham
View full rent data for Chatham, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Chatham, IL?
Median rent in Chatham is $1,704 a month. A typical bus driver in Illinois earns about $52,856 a year, which makes that rent 38.7% 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 Chatham?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Illinois (~$52,856/yr) supports up to $1,321 a month in rent. Chatham's current median rent is $1,704/mo, which is $383/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Chatham?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Illinois works roughly 67.1 hours a month to cover Chatham's median rent of $1,704.
Where is rent cheaper than Chatham for a bus driver?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Chicago ($1,703/mo), Calumet City ($1,702/mo), Evanston ($1,701/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.