Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Chicago, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.4% of gross income.
Chicago 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 Chicago, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chicago
View full rent data for Chicago, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Chicago, IL?
Median rent in Chicago is $2,395 a month. A typical bus driver in Illinois earns about $52,856 a year, which makes that rent 54.4% 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 Chicago?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Illinois (~$52,856/yr) supports up to $1,321 a month in rent. Chicago's current median rent is $2,395/mo, which is $1,074/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Chicago?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Illinois works roughly 94.2 hours a month to cover Chicago's median rent of $2,395.
Where is rent cheaper than Chicago for a bus driver?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Glenview ($2,394/mo), Evanston ($2,393/mo), Lockport ($2,392/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.