Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Cincinnati, OH?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.3% of gross income.
Cincinnati rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Ohio 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 Ohio cities have lower median rent than Cincinnati, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cincinnati
View full rent data for Cincinnati, OH →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Cincinnati, OH?
Median rent in Cincinnati is $1,475 a month. A typical bus driver in Ohio earns about $48,711 a year, which makes that rent 36.3% 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 Cincinnati?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Ohio (~$48,711/yr) supports up to $1,218 a month in rent. Cincinnati's current median rent is $1,475/mo, which is $257/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Cincinnati?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Ohio works roughly 63 hours a month to cover Cincinnati's median rent of $1,475.
Where is rent cheaper than Cincinnati for a bus driver?
Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Amelia ($1,473/mo), Forest Park ($1,472/mo), Cuyahoga Falls ($1,471/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.