Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Augusta, ME?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.2% of gross income.
Augusta rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine 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 Maine cities have lower median rent than Augusta, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Augusta
View full rent data for Augusta, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Augusta, ME?
Median rent in Augusta is $1,533 a month. A typical bus driver in Maine earns about $48,193 a year, which makes that rent 38.2% 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 Augusta?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Maine (~$48,193/yr) supports up to $1,205 a month in rent. Augusta's current median rent is $1,533/mo, which is $328/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Augusta?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Maine works roughly 66.2 hours a month to cover Augusta's median rent of $1,533.
Where is rent cheaper than Augusta for a bus driver?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Old Town ($1,524/mo), Bangor ($1,518/mo), Auburn ($1,503/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.