Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Austin, TX?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.8% of gross income.
Austin rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Texas 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 Texas cities have lower median rent than Austin, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Austin
View full rent data for Austin, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Austin, TX?
Median rent in Austin is $1,615 a month. A typical bus driver in Texas earns about $51,302 a year, which makes that rent 37.8% 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 Austin?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Texas (~$51,302/yr) supports up to $1,283 a month in rent. Austin's current median rent is $1,615/mo, which is $332/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Austin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Texas works roughly 65.5 hours a month to cover Austin's median rent of $1,615.
Where is rent cheaper than Austin for a bus driver?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Cedar Hill ($1,614/mo), Euless ($1,614/mo), Hutto ($1,614/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.