Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in West Columbia, SC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.4% of gross income.
West Columbia rent: July 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 West Columbia, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Columbia
View full rent data for West Columbia, SC →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in West Columbia, SC?
Median rent in West Columbia is $1,765 a month. A typical bus driver in South Carolina earns about $45,602 a year, which makes that rent 46.4% 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 West Columbia?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in South Carolina (~$45,602/yr) supports up to $1,140 a month in rent. West Columbia's current median rent is $1,765/mo, which is $625/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in West Columbia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $22 an hour, a bus driver in South Carolina works roughly 80.5 hours a month to cover West Columbia's median rent of $1,765.
Where is rent cheaper than West Columbia for a bus driver?
Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Fort Mill ($1,764/mo), Conway ($1,763/mo), Fort Mill ($1,763/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.