Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Albuquerque, NM?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.2% of gross income.
Albuquerque rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico 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 New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Albuquerque, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Albuquerque
View full rent data for Albuquerque, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Albuquerque, NM?
Median rent in Albuquerque is $1,486 a month. A typical bus driver in New Mexico earns about $46,638 a year, which makes that rent 38.2% 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 Albuquerque?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New Mexico (~$46,638/yr) supports up to $1,166 a month in rent. Albuquerque's current median rent is $1,486/mo, which is $320/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Albuquerque?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in New Mexico works roughly 66.3 hours a month to cover Albuquerque's median rent of $1,486.
Where is rent cheaper than Albuquerque for a bus driver?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Alamogordo ($1,484/mo), Hobbs ($1,475/mo), Alamogordo ($1,473/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.