Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Ellensburg, WA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 35.5% of gross income.
Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ellensburg
View full rent data for Ellensburg, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Ellensburg, WA?
Median rent in Ellensburg is $1,716 a month. A typical bus driver in Washington earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 35.5% 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 Ellensburg?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Washington (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Ellensburg's current median rent is $1,716/mo, which is $265/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Ellensburg?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in Washington works roughly 61.5 hours a month to cover Ellensburg's median rent of $1,716.
Where is rent cheaper than Ellensburg for a bus driver?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Parkland ($1,714/mo), Lakewood ($1,714/mo), Parkland ($1,714/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.