Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Merrillville, IN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.3% of gross income.
Merrillville 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 Merrillville, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Merrillville
View full rent data for Merrillville, IN →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Merrillville, IN?
Median rent in Merrillville is $1,562 a month. A typical bus driver in Indiana earns about $47,674 a year, which makes that rent 39.3% 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 Merrillville?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Indiana (~$47,674/yr) supports up to $1,192 a month in rent. Merrillville's current median rent is $1,562/mo, which is $370/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Merrillville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Indiana works roughly 68.1 hours a month to cover Merrillville's median rent of $1,562.
Where is rent cheaper than Merrillville for a bus driver?
Nearby Indiana cities with lower median rent include Highland ($1,560/mo), Franklin ($1,556/mo), Greenwood ($1,554/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.