Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Laurel, MT?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.7% of gross income.
Laurel rent: September 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 Laurel, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Laurel
View full rent data for Laurel, MT →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Laurel, MT?
Median rent in Laurel is $1,282 a month. A typical bus driver in Montana earns about $45,602 a year, which makes that rent 33.7% 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 Laurel?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Montana (~$45,602/yr) supports up to $1,140 a month in rent. Laurel's current median rent is $1,282/mo, which is $142/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Laurel?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in Montana works roughly 58.5 hours a month to cover Laurel's median rent of $1,282.
Where is rent cheaper than Laurel for a bus driver?
Nearby Montana cities with lower median rent include Missoula ($1,215/mo), Missoula ($1,020/mo), Billings ($1,014/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.