Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Waterford, MI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.5% of gross income.
Waterford rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Michigan 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 Michigan cities have lower median rent than Waterford, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waterford
View full rent data for Waterford, MI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Waterford, MI?
Median rent in Waterford is $1,182 a month. A typical bus driver in Michigan earns about $49,747 a year, which makes that rent 28.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in Waterford?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Michigan (~$49,747/yr) supports up to $1,244 a month in rent. Waterford's current median rent is $1,182/mo, which leaves a $62/mo buffer.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Waterford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Michigan works roughly 49.4 hours a month to cover Waterford's median rent of $1,182.
Where is rent cheaper than Waterford for a bus driver?
Nearby Michigan cities with lower median rent include Wayne ($1,180/mo), East Lansing ($1,179/mo), Marquette ($1,179/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.