Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Bismarck, ND?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.8% of gross income.
Bismarck rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Dakota 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 Dakota cities have lower median rent than Bismarck, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bismarck
View full rent data for Bismarck, ND →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Bismarck, ND?
Median rent in Bismarck is $1,372 a month. A typical bus driver in North Dakota earns about $50,265 a year, which makes that rent 32.8% 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 Bismarck?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in North Dakota (~$50,265/yr) supports up to $1,257 a month in rent. Bismarck's current median rent is $1,372/mo, which is $115/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Bismarck?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in North Dakota works roughly 56.8 hours a month to cover Bismarck's median rent of $1,372.
Where is rent cheaper than Bismarck for a bus driver?
Nearby North Dakota cities with lower median rent include Williston ($1,353/mo), West Fargo ($1,350/mo), West Fargo ($1,336/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.