Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Independence, KS?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18% of gross income.
Independence rent: May 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 Independence, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Independence
View full rent data for Independence, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Independence, KS?
Median rent in Independence is $700 a month. A typical bus driver in Kansas earns about $46,638 a year, which makes that rent 18% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in Independence?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Kansas (~$46,638/yr) supports up to $1,166 a month in rent. Independence's current median rent is $700/mo, which leaves a $466/mo buffer.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Independence?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Kansas works roughly 31.2 hours a month to cover Independence's median rent of $700.
Where is rent cheaper than Independence for a bus driver?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Hutchinson ($612/mo), Hutchinson ($594/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.