Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Meridian, MS?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.7% of gross income.
Meridian rent: June 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 Meridian, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Meridian
View full rent data for Meridian, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Meridian, MS?
Median rent in Meridian is $1,423 a month. A typical bus driver in Mississippi earns about $41,974 a year, which makes that rent 40.7% 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 Meridian?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Mississippi (~$41,974/yr) supports up to $1,049 a month in rent. Meridian's current median rent is $1,423/mo, which is $374/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Meridian?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a bus driver in Mississippi works roughly 70.5 hours a month to cover Meridian's median rent of $1,423.
Where is rent cheaper than Meridian for a bus driver?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Bay Saint Louis ($1,422/mo), Pearl ($1,420/mo), Gulf Hills ($1,420/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.