Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Santa Fe, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.4% of gross income.
Santa Fe rent: July 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 Santa Fe, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Fe
View full rent data for Santa Fe, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Santa Fe, NM?
Median rent in Santa Fe is $1,882 a month. A typical bus driver in New Mexico earns about $46,638 a year, which makes that rent 48.4% 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 Santa Fe?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New Mexico (~$46,638/yr) supports up to $1,166 a month in rent. Santa Fe's current median rent is $1,882/mo, which is $716/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Santa Fe?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in New Mexico works roughly 83.9 hours a month to cover Santa Fe's median rent of $1,882.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Fe for a bus driver?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Rio Rancho ($1,875/mo), Rio Rancho ($1,875/mo), Rio Rancho ($1,871/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.