Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Topeka, KS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.1% of gross income.
Topeka rent: September 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 $1,249 a month. A typical bus driver in Kansas earns about $46,638 a year, which makes that rent 32.1% 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 $1,249/mo, which is $83/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 55.7 hours a month to cover Topeka's median rent of $1,249.
Where is rent cheaper than Topeka for a bus driver?
Nearby Kansas cities with lower median rent include Kansas City ($1,246/mo), Manhattan ($1,245/mo), Kansas City ($1,245/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.