Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in New Orleans, LA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 44.3% of gross income.
New Orleans rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana 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 Louisiana cities have lower median rent than New Orleans, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for New Orleans
View full rent data for New Orleans, LA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in New Orleans, LA?
Median rent in New Orleans is $1,664 a month. A typical bus driver in Louisiana earns about $45,083 a year, which makes that rent 44.3% 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 New Orleans?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Louisiana (~$45,083/yr) supports up to $1,127 a month in rent. New Orleans's current median rent is $1,664/mo, which is $537/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in New Orleans?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Louisiana works roughly 76.8 hours a month to cover New Orleans's median rent of $1,664.
Where is rent cheaper than New Orleans for a bus driver?
Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Gonzales ($1,662/mo), Metairie ($1,662/mo), Metairie ($1,660/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.