Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Manhattan, KS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.3% of gross income.
Manhattan rent: June 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 Manhattan, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Manhattan
View full rent data for Manhattan, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Manhattan, KS?
Median rent in Manhattan is $1,293 a month. A typical bus driver in Kansas earns about $46,638 a year, which makes that rent 33.3% 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 Manhattan?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Kansas (~$46,638/yr) supports up to $1,166 a month in rent. Manhattan's current median rent is $1,293/mo, which is $127/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Manhattan?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Kansas works roughly 57.7 hours a month to cover Manhattan's median rent of $1,293.
Where is rent cheaper than Manhattan for a bus driver?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Kansas City ($1,288/mo), Lawrence ($1,288/mo), Lawrence ($1,286/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.