Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in North Charleston, SC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.7% of gross income.
North Charleston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina 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 South Carolina cities have lower median rent than North Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for North Charleston
View full rent data for North Charleston, SC →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in North Charleston, SC?
Median rent in North Charleston is $1,738 a month. A typical bus driver in South Carolina earns about $45,602 a year, which makes that rent 45.7% 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 North Charleston?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in South Carolina (~$45,602/yr) supports up to $1,140 a month in rent. North Charleston's current median rent is $1,738/mo, which is $598/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in North Charleston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in South Carolina works roughly 79.3 hours a month to cover North Charleston's median rent of $1,738.
Where is rent cheaper than North Charleston for a bus driver?
Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Elgin ($1,736/mo), Elgin ($1,734/mo), Blythewood ($1,734/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.