Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Bristol, VA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.
Bristol 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 Bristol, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bristol
View full rent data for Bristol, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Bristol, VA?
Median rent in Bristol is $1,376 a month. A typical bus driver in Virginia earns about $52,856 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% 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 Bristol?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Virginia (~$52,856/yr) supports up to $1,321 a month in rent. Bristol's current median rent is $1,376/mo, which is $55/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Bristol?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Virginia works roughly 54.1 hours a month to cover Bristol's median rent of $1,376.
Where is rent cheaper than Bristol for a bus driver?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Staunton ($1,373/mo), Lexington ($1,373/mo), Hopewell ($1,370/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.