Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Topeka, KS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33% of gross income.
Topeka 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 Topeka, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Topeka
View full rent data for Topeka, KS →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Topeka, KS?
Median rent in Topeka is $1,283 a month. A typical bus driver in Kansas earns about $46,638 a year, which makes that rent 33% 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 Topeka?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Kansas (~$46,638/yr) supports up to $1,166 a month in rent. Topeka's current median rent is $1,283/mo, which is $117/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Topeka?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Kansas works roughly 57.2 hours a month to cover Topeka's median rent of $1,283.
Where is rent cheaper than Topeka for a bus driver?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Kansas City ($1,274/mo), Leavenworth ($1,273/mo), Overland Park ($1,269/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.