Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Salem, VA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.9% of gross income.
Salem 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 Salem, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Salem, VA?
Median rent in Salem is $1,536 a month. A typical bus driver in Virginia earns about $52,856 a year, which makes that rent 34.9% 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 Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Virginia (~$52,856/yr) supports up to $1,321 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $1,536/mo, which is $215/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Virginia works roughly 60.4 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $1,536.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a bus driver?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Waynesboro ($1,534/mo), Colonial Heights ($1,533/mo), Portsmouth ($1,533/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.