Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Columbus, OH?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.2% of gross income.
Columbus rent: September 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 Columbus, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbus
View full rent data for Columbus, OH →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Columbus, OH?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,471 a month. A typical bus driver in Ohio earns about $48,711 a year, which makes that rent 36.2% 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 Columbus?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Ohio (~$48,711/yr) supports up to $1,218 a month in rent. Columbus's current median rent is $1,471/mo, which is $253/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Columbus?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Ohio works roughly 62.8 hours a month to cover Columbus's median rent of $1,471.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbus for a bus driver?
Nearby Ohio cities with lower median rent include Grove City ($1,470/mo), Batavia ($1,470/mo), Maple Heights ($1,468/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.