Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Billings, MT?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.4% of gross income.
Billings rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Montana 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 Montana cities have lower median rent than Billings, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Billings
View full rent data for Billings, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Billings, MT?
Median rent in Billings is $1,458 a month. A typical bus driver in Montana earns about $45,602 a year, which makes that rent 38.4% 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 Billings?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Montana (~$45,602/yr) supports up to $1,140 a month in rent. Billings's current median rent is $1,458/mo, which is $318/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Billings?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Montana works roughly 66.5 hours a month to cover Billings's median rent of $1,458.
Where is rent cheaper than Billings for a bus driver?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Helena ($1,457/mo), Missoula ($1,456/mo), Missoula ($1,452/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.