Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Oak Ridge, TN?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42% of gross income.
Oak Ridge rent: July 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 Oak Ridge, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Oak Ridge
View full rent data for Oak Ridge, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Oak Ridge, TN?
Median rent in Oak Ridge is $1,668 a month. A typical bus driver in Tennessee earns about $47,674 a year, which makes that rent 42% 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 Oak Ridge?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Tennessee (~$47,674/yr) supports up to $1,192 a month in rent. Oak Ridge's current median rent is $1,668/mo, which is $476/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Oak Ridge?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Tennessee works roughly 72.8 hours a month to cover Oak Ridge's median rent of $1,668.
Where is rent cheaper than Oak Ridge for a bus driver?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Murfreesboro ($1,667/mo), Lakeland ($1,667/mo), Alcoa ($1,666/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.