Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Lake Forest, IL?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 117.4% of gross income.
Lake Forest rent: June 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 Lake Forest, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lake Forest
View full rent data for Lake Forest, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Lake Forest, IL?
Median rent in Lake Forest is $5,171 a month. A typical bus driver in Illinois earns about $52,856 a year, which makes that rent 117.4% 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 Lake Forest?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Illinois (~$52,856/yr) supports up to $1,321 a month in rent. Lake Forest's current median rent is $5,171/mo, which is $3,850/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Lake Forest?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Illinois works roughly 203.5 hours a month to cover Lake Forest's median rent of $5,171.
Where is rent cheaper than Lake Forest for a bus driver?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Wilmette ($4,246/mo), Wilmette ($4,223/mo), Wilmette ($4,213/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.