Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Kalispell, MT?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.7% of gross income.
Kalispell 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 Kalispell, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Kalispell
View full rent data for Kalispell, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Kalispell, MT?
Median rent in Kalispell is $1,852 a month. A typical bus driver in Montana earns about $45,602 a year, which makes that rent 48.7% 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 Kalispell?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Montana (~$45,602/yr) supports up to $1,140 a month in rent. Kalispell's current median rent is $1,852/mo, which is $712/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Kalispell?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Montana works roughly 84.5 hours a month to cover Kalispell's median rent of $1,852.
Where is rent cheaper than Kalispell for a bus driver?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Livingston ($1,839/mo), Livingston ($1,783/mo), Livingston ($1,738/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.