Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Tupelo, MS?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.5% of gross income.
Tupelo 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 Tupelo, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Tupelo
View full rent data for Tupelo, MS →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Tupelo, MS?
Median rent in Tupelo is $1,381 a month. A typical bus driver in Mississippi earns about $41,974 a year, which makes that rent 39.5% 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 Tupelo?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Mississippi (~$41,974/yr) supports up to $1,049 a month in rent. Tupelo's current median rent is $1,381/mo, which is $332/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Tupelo?
At an hourly equivalent of about $20 an hour, a bus driver in Mississippi works roughly 68.4 hours a month to cover Tupelo's median rent of $1,381.
Where is rent cheaper than Tupelo for a bus driver?
Nearby Mississippi cities with lower median rent include Gulfport ($1,380/mo), Columbus ($1,379/mo), Columbus ($1,379/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.