Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Columbus, MS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.9% of gross income.
Columbus rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Mississippi 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 Mississippi cities have lower median rent than Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Columbus, MS?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,326 a month. A typical bus driver in Mississippi earns about $41,974 a year, which makes that rent 37.9% 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Mississippi (~$41,974/yr) supports up to $1,049 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,326/mo, which is $277/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a bus driver in Mississippi works roughly 65.7 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,326.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a bus driver?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Gautier ($1,324/mo), Hattiesburg ($1,321/mo), Biloxi ($1,318/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.