Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Columbia, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.8% of gross income.
Columbia rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee 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 Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Columbia, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Columbia
View full rent data for Columbia, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Columbia, TN?
Median rent in Columbia is $1,580 a month. A typical bus driver in Tennessee earns about $47,674 a year, which makes that rent 39.8% 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 Columbia?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Tennessee (~$47,674/yr) supports up to $1,192 a month in rent. Columbia's current median rent is $1,580/mo, which is $388/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Columbia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Tennessee works roughly 68.9 hours a month to cover Columbia's median rent of $1,580.
Where is rent cheaper than Columbia for a bus driver?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Millington ($1,579/mo), Louisville ($1,579/mo), Springfield ($1,579/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.