Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Chehalis, WA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.5% of gross income.
Chehalis 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 Chehalis, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chehalis
View full rent data for Chehalis, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Chehalis, WA?
Median rent in Chehalis is $1,475 a month. A typical bus driver in Washington earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 30.5% 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 Chehalis?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Washington (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Chehalis's current median rent is $1,475/mo, which is $24/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Chehalis?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in Washington works roughly 52.9 hours a month to cover Chehalis's median rent of $1,475.
Where is rent cheaper than Chehalis for a bus driver?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Vancouver ($1,468/mo), Cheney ($1,467/mo), Centralia ($1,463/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.