Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Chelsea, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.5% of gross income.
Chelsea 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 Chelsea, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chelsea
View full rent data for Chelsea, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Chelsea, MA?
Median rent in Chelsea is $2,628 a month. A typical bus driver in Massachusetts earns about $60,111 a year, which makes that rent 52.5% 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 Chelsea?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Massachusetts (~$60,111/yr) supports up to $1,503 a month in rent. Chelsea's current median rent is $2,628/mo, which is $1,125/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Chelsea?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in Massachusetts works roughly 90.9 hours a month to cover Chelsea's median rent of $2,628.
Where is rent cheaper than Chelsea for a bus driver?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Wakefield ($2,627/mo), Randolph ($2,627/mo), Gloucester ($2,626/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.