Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Lowell, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.2% of gross income.
Lowell 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 Lowell, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lowell
View full rent data for Lowell, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Lowell, MA?
Median rent in Lowell is $2,316 a month. A typical bus driver in Massachusetts earns about $60,111 a year, which makes that rent 46.2% 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 Lowell?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Massachusetts (~$60,111/yr) supports up to $1,503 a month in rent. Lowell's current median rent is $2,316/mo, which is $813/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Lowell?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in Massachusetts works roughly 80.1 hours a month to cover Lowell's median rent of $2,316.
Where is rent cheaper than Lowell for a bus driver?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Clinton ($2,313/mo), Northampton ($2,312/mo), Northampton ($2,310/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.