Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Surf City, NC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 56.6% of gross income.
Surf City rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina 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 North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Surf City, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Surf City
View full rent data for Surf City, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Surf City, NC?
Median rent in Surf City is $2,296 a month. A typical bus driver in North Carolina earns about $48,711 a year, which makes that rent 56.6% 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 Surf City?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in North Carolina (~$48,711/yr) supports up to $1,218 a month in rent. Surf City's current median rent is $2,296/mo, which is $1,078/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Surf City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in North Carolina works roughly 98 hours a month to cover Surf City's median rent of $2,296.
Where is rent cheaper than Surf City for a bus driver?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Harrisburg ($2,294/mo), Mc Leansville ($2,293/mo), Carolina Beach ($2,292/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.