Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in South Padre Island, TX?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 98.5% of gross income.
South Padre Island rent: April 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 South Padre Island, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Padre Island
View full rent data for South Padre Island, TX →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in South Padre Island, TX?
Median rent in South Padre Island is $4,212 a month. A typical bus driver in Texas earns about $51,302 a year, which makes that rent 98.5% 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 South Padre Island?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Texas (~$51,302/yr) supports up to $1,283 a month in rent. South Padre Island's current median rent is $4,212/mo, which is $2,929/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in South Padre Island?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Texas works roughly 170.8 hours a month to cover South Padre Island's median rent of $4,212.
Where is rent cheaper than South Padre Island for a bus driver?
Nearby Texas cities with lower median rent include University Park ($4,163/mo), Spicewood ($3,358/mo), Spicewood ($3,274/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.