Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Syracuse, NY?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31% of gross income.
Syracuse rent: July 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 Syracuse, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Syracuse
View full rent data for Syracuse, NY →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Syracuse, NY?
Median rent in Syracuse is $1,525 a month. A typical bus driver in New York earns about $59,075 a year, which makes that rent 31% 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 Syracuse?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New York (~$59,075/yr) supports up to $1,477 a month in rent. Syracuse's current median rent is $1,525/mo, which is $48/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Syracuse?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New York works roughly 53.7 hours a month to cover Syracuse's median rent of $1,525.
Where is rent cheaper than Syracuse for a bus driver?
Nearby New York cities with lower median rent include Watervliet ($1,523/mo), Watervliet ($1,520/mo), Penfield ($1,520/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.