Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Ithaca, NY?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.5% of gross income.
Ithaca 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 Ithaca, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ithaca
View full rent data for Ithaca, NY →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Ithaca, NY?
Median rent in Ithaca is $1,947 a month. A typical bus driver in New York earns about $59,075 a year, which makes that rent 39.5% 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 Ithaca?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New York (~$59,075/yr) supports up to $1,477 a month in rent. Ithaca's current median rent is $1,947/mo, which is $470/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Ithaca?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New York works roughly 68.6 hours a month to cover Ithaca's median rent of $1,947.
Where is rent cheaper than Ithaca for a bus driver?
Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Poughkeepsie ($1,942/mo), Saratoga Springs ($1,941/mo), Williamsville ($1,935/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.