Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Joplin, MO?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.7% of gross income.
Joplin rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Missouri 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 Missouri cities have lower median rent than Joplin, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Joplin
View full rent data for Joplin, MO →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Joplin, MO?
Median rent in Joplin is $1,299 a month. A typical bus driver in Missouri earns about $47,674 a year, which makes that rent 32.7% 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 Joplin?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Missouri (~$47,674/yr) supports up to $1,192 a month in rent. Joplin's current median rent is $1,299/mo, which is $107/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Joplin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Missouri works roughly 56.7 hours a month to cover Joplin's median rent of $1,299.
Where is rent cheaper than Joplin for a bus driver?
Nearby Missouri cities with lower median rent include Berkeley ($1,298/mo), Independence ($1,298/mo), Berkeley ($1,295/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.