Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Owensboro, KY?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.6% of gross income.
Owensboro rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Kentucky 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 Kentucky cities have lower median rent than Owensboro, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Owensboro
View full rent data for Owensboro, KY →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Owensboro, KY?
Median rent in Owensboro is $1,161 a month. A typical bus driver in Kentucky earns about $45,602 a year, which makes that rent 30.6% 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 Owensboro?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Kentucky (~$45,602/yr) supports up to $1,140 a month in rent. Owensboro's current median rent is $1,161/mo, which is $21/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Owensboro?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Kentucky works roughly 53 hours a month to cover Owensboro's median rent of $1,161.
Where is rent cheaper than Owensboro for a bus driver?
Nearby Kentucky cities with lower median rent include Oak Grove ($1,158/mo), Morehead ($1,158/mo), Frankfort ($1,151/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.