Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Saint Helens, OR?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37% of gross income.
Saint Helens rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon 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 Oregon cities have lower median rent than Saint Helens, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Saint Helens
View full rent data for Saint Helens, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Saint Helens, OR?
Median rent in Saint Helens is $1,660 a month. A typical bus driver in Oregon earns about $53,893 a year, which makes that rent 37% 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 Saint Helens?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Oregon (~$53,893/yr) supports up to $1,347 a month in rent. Saint Helens's current median rent is $1,660/mo, which is $313/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Saint Helens?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a bus driver in Oregon works roughly 64.1 hours a month to cover Saint Helens's median rent of $1,660.
Where is rent cheaper than Saint Helens for a bus driver?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Hermiston ($1,657/mo), Medford ($1,656/mo), McMinnville ($1,656/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.