Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.8% of gross income.
Wilkes-Barre rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania cities have lower median rent than Wilkes-Barre, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wilkes-Barre
View full rent data for Wilkes-Barre, PA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Median rent in Wilkes-Barre is $1,358 a month. A typical bus driver in Pennsylvania earns about $51,302 a year, which makes that rent 31.8% 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 Wilkes-Barre?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Pennsylvania (~$51,302/yr) supports up to $1,283 a month in rent. Wilkes-Barre's current median rent is $1,358/mo, which is $75/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Wilkes-Barre?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Pennsylvania works roughly 55.1 hours a month to cover Wilkes-Barre's median rent of $1,358.
Where is rent cheaper than Wilkes-Barre for a bus driver?
Nearby Pennsylvania cities with lower median rent include Hanover ($1,356/mo), Harrisburg ($1,355/mo), Munhall ($1,353/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.