Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Smithfield, VA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 56.7% of gross income.
Smithfield 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 Smithfield, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Smithfield
View full rent data for Smithfield, VA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Smithfield, VA?
Median rent in Smithfield is $2,498 a month. A typical bus driver in Virginia earns about $52,856 a year, which makes that rent 56.7% 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 Smithfield?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Virginia (~$52,856/yr) supports up to $1,321 a month in rent. Smithfield's current median rent is $2,498/mo, which is $1,177/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Smithfield?
At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a bus driver in Virginia works roughly 98.3 hours a month to cover Smithfield's median rent of $2,498.
Where is rent cheaper than Smithfield for a bus driver?
Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Dumfries ($2,494/mo), Falls Church ($2,493/mo), Dumfries ($2,485/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.