Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Washington, NC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.2% of gross income.
Washington rent: May 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 Washington, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Washington, NC?
Median rent in Washington is $1,225 a month. A typical bus driver in North Carolina earns about $48,711 a year, which makes that rent 30.2% 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 Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in North Carolina (~$48,711/yr) supports up to $1,218 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $1,225/mo, which is $7/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in North Carolina works roughly 52.3 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $1,225.
Where is rent cheaper than Washington for a bus driver?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Thomasville ($1,224/mo), Raleigh ($1,223/mo), Kannapolis ($1,221/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.