Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Harlingen, TX?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.1% of gross income.
Harlingen rent: September 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 Harlingen, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Harlingen
View full rent data for Harlingen, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Harlingen, TX?
Median rent in Harlingen is $1,157 a month. A typical bus driver in Texas earns about $51,302 a year, which makes that rent 27.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in Harlingen?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Texas (~$51,302/yr) supports up to $1,283 a month in rent. Harlingen's current median rent is $1,157/mo, which leaves a $126/mo buffer.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Harlingen?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Texas works roughly 46.9 hours a month to cover Harlingen's median rent of $1,157.
Where is rent cheaper than Harlingen for a bus driver?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include Eagle Pass ($1,156/mo), Victoria ($1,155/mo), Benbrook ($1,155/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.