Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Burien, WA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.2% of gross income.
Burien rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington 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 Washington cities have lower median rent than Burien, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Burien
View full rent data for Burien, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Burien, WA?
Median rent in Burien is $1,896 a month. A typical bus driver in Washington earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 39.2% 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 Burien?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Washington (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Burien's current median rent is $1,896/mo, which is $445/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Burien?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in Washington works roughly 67.9 hours a month to cover Burien's median rent of $1,896.
Where is rent cheaper than Burien for a bus driver?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Bellingham ($1,895/mo), Bremerton ($1,895/mo), University Place ($1,895/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.