Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Boston, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 68.2% of gross income.
Boston rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Boston, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boston
View full rent data for Boston, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Boston, MA?
Median rent in Boston is $3,414 a month. A typical bus driver in Massachusetts earns about $60,111 a year, which makes that rent 68.2% 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 Boston?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Massachusetts (~$60,111/yr) supports up to $1,503 a month in rent. Boston's current median rent is $3,414/mo, which is $1,911/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Boston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in Massachusetts works roughly 118.1 hours a month to cover Boston's median rent of $3,414.
Where is rent cheaper than Boston for a bus driver?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Medford ($3,401/mo), Needham ($3,399/mo), Needham ($3,395/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.