Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Chelmsford, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 53.5% of gross income.
Chelmsford rent: June 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 Chelmsford, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelmsford
View full rent data for Chelmsford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Chelmsford, MA?
Median rent in Chelmsford is $2,680 a month. A typical bus driver in Massachusetts earns about $60,111 a year, which makes that rent 53.5% 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 Chelmsford?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Massachusetts (~$60,111/yr) supports up to $1,503 a month in rent. Chelmsford's current median rent is $2,680/mo, which is $1,177/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Chelmsford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in Massachusetts works roughly 92.7 hours a month to cover Chelmsford's median rent of $2,680.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelmsford for a bus driver?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Everett ($2,679/mo), Arlington ($2,679/mo), Westborough ($2,679/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.