Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Saint Paul, MN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33% of gross income.
Saint Paul rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota 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 Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Saint Paul, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Saint Paul
View full rent data for Saint Paul, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Saint Paul, MN?
Median rent in Saint Paul is $1,480 a month. A typical bus driver in Minnesota earns about $53,893 a year, which makes that rent 33% 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 Saint Paul?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Minnesota (~$53,893/yr) supports up to $1,347 a month in rent. Saint Paul's current median rent is $1,480/mo, which is $133/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Saint Paul?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a bus driver in Minnesota works roughly 57.1 hours a month to cover Saint Paul's median rent of $1,480.
Where is rent cheaper than Saint Paul for a bus driver?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Maplewood ($1,479/mo), Burnsville ($1,477/mo), Duluth ($1,477/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.