Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Arlington, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 61.8% of gross income.
Arlington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia 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 Virginia cities have lower median rent than Arlington, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Arlington
View full rent data for Arlington, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Arlington, VA?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,722 a month. A typical bus driver in Virginia earns about $52,856 a year, which makes that rent 61.8% 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 Arlington?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Virginia (~$52,856/yr) supports up to $1,321 a month in rent. Arlington's current median rent is $2,722/mo, which is $1,401/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Arlington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Virginia works roughly 107.1 hours a month to cover Arlington's median rent of $2,722.
Where is rent cheaper than Arlington for a bus driver?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Sterling ($2,718/mo), Springfield ($2,716/mo), Ashburn ($2,715/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.