Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Baltimore, MD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.6% of gross income.
Baltimore rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland 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 Maryland cities have lower median rent than Baltimore, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Baltimore
View full rent data for Baltimore, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Baltimore, MD?
Median rent in Baltimore is $1,799 a month. A typical bus driver in Maryland earns about $55,966 a year, which makes that rent 38.6% 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 Baltimore?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Maryland (~$55,966/yr) supports up to $1,399 a month in rent. Baltimore's current median rent is $1,799/mo, which is $400/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Baltimore?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a bus driver in Maryland works roughly 66.9 hours a month to cover Baltimore's median rent of $1,799.
Where is rent cheaper than Baltimore for a bus driver?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Owings Mills ($1,798/mo), Belcamp ($1,797/mo), Abingdon ($1,796/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.