Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in University Place, WA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.6% of gross income.
University Place rent: September 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 University Place, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for University Place
View full rent data for University Place, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in University Place, WA?
Median rent in University Place is $1,916 a month. A typical bus driver in Washington earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 39.6% 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 University Place?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Washington (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. University Place's current median rent is $1,916/mo, which is $465/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in University Place?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in Washington works roughly 68.7 hours a month to cover University Place's median rent of $1,916.
Where is rent cheaper than University Place for a bus driver?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Shoreline ($1,915/mo), Bryn Mawr-Skyway ($1,915/mo), Shoreline ($1,915/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.