Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Providence, RI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.1% of gross income.
Providence rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island cities have lower median rent than Providence, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Providence
View full rent data for Providence, RI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Providence, RI?
Median rent in Providence is $2,293 a month. A typical bus driver in Rhode Island earns about $53,893 a year, which makes that rent 51.1% 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 Providence?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Rhode Island (~$53,893/yr) supports up to $1,347 a month in rent. Providence's current median rent is $2,293/mo, which is $946/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Providence?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a bus driver in Rhode Island works roughly 88.5 hours a month to cover Providence's median rent of $2,293.
Where is rent cheaper than Providence for a bus driver?
Nearby Rhode Island cities with lower median rent include Bristol ($2,284/mo), Bristol ($2,283/mo), Bristol ($2,282/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.