Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Centralia, WA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.3% of gross income.
Centralia rent: July 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 Centralia, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Centralia
View full rent data for Centralia, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Centralia, WA?
Median rent in Centralia is $1,318 a month. A typical bus driver in Washington earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 27.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in Centralia?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Washington (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Centralia's current median rent is $1,318/mo, which leaves a $133/mo buffer.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Centralia?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in Washington works roughly 47.2 hours a month to cover Centralia's median rent of $1,318.
Where is rent cheaper than Centralia for a bus driver?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Longview ($1,317/mo), Tacoma ($1,315/mo), Longview ($1,315/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.