Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Gardner, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.
Gardner 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 Gardner, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Gardner
View full rent data for Gardner, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Gardner, MA?
Median rent in Gardner is $1,565 a month. A typical bus driver in Massachusetts earns about $60,111 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% 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 Gardner?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Massachusetts (~$60,111/yr) supports up to $1,503 a month in rent. Gardner's current median rent is $1,565/mo, which is $62/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Gardner?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in Massachusetts works roughly 54.2 hours a month to cover Gardner's median rent of $1,565.
Where is rent cheaper than Gardner for a bus driver?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Lowell ($1,559/mo), Pittsfield ($1,546/mo), Haverhill ($1,543/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.