Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Emporia, KS?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 22.9% of gross income.
Emporia rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kansas 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 Kansas cities have lower median rent than Emporia, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Emporia
View full rent data for Emporia, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Emporia, KS?
Median rent in Emporia is $890 a month. A typical bus driver in Kansas earns about $46,638 a year, which makes that rent 22.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in Emporia?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Kansas (~$46,638/yr) supports up to $1,166 a month in rent. Emporia's current median rent is $890/mo, which leaves a $276/mo buffer.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Emporia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Kansas works roughly 39.7 hours a month to cover Emporia's median rent of $890.
Where is rent cheaper than Emporia for a bus driver?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Pittsburg ($889/mo), Junction City ($887/mo), Newton ($885/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.