Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Albany, NY?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.7% of gross income.
Albany rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New York 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 York cities have lower median rent than Albany, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Albany
View full rent data for Albany, NY →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Albany, NY?
Median rent in Albany is $1,611 a month. A typical bus driver in New York earns about $59,075 a year, which makes that rent 32.7% 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 Albany?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New York (~$59,075/yr) supports up to $1,477 a month in rent. Albany's current median rent is $1,611/mo, which is $134/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Albany?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New York works roughly 56.7 hours a month to cover Albany's median rent of $1,611.
Where is rent cheaper than Albany for a bus driver?
Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Syracuse ($1,609/mo), Canandaigua ($1,605/mo), Syracuse ($1,605/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.