Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Silver Spring, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.1% of gross income.
Silver Spring rent: July 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 Silver Spring, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Silver Spring
View full rent data for Silver Spring, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Silver Spring, MD?
Median rent in Silver Spring is $1,962 a month. A typical bus driver in Maryland earns about $55,966 a year, which makes that rent 42.1% 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 Silver Spring?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Maryland (~$55,966/yr) supports up to $1,399 a month in rent. Silver Spring's current median rent is $1,962/mo, which is $563/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Silver Spring?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a bus driver in Maryland works roughly 72.9 hours a month to cover Silver Spring's median rent of $1,962.
Where is rent cheaper than Silver Spring for a bus driver?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Germantown ($1,961/mo), Bel Air ($1,961/mo), Bel Air ($1,959/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.