Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Columbus, IN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.9% of gross income.
Columbus rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Indiana 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 Indiana cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, IN →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Columbus, IN?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,385 a month. A typical bus driver in Indiana earns about $47,674 a year, which makes that rent 34.9% 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Indiana (~$47,674/yr) supports up to $1,192 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,385/mo, which is $193/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Indiana works roughly 60.4 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,385.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a bus driver?
Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Valparaiso ($1,383/mo), Valparaiso ($1,382/mo), Portage ($1,381/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.