Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Appleton, WI?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 28.9% of gross income.
Appleton rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin cities have lower median rent than Appleton, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Appleton
View full rent data for Appleton, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Appleton, WI?
Median rent in Appleton is $1,187 a month. A typical bus driver in Wisconsin earns about $49,229 a year, which makes that rent 28.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a bus driver afford in Appleton?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Wisconsin (~$49,229/yr) supports up to $1,231 a month in rent. Appleton's current median rent is $1,187/mo, which leaves a $44/mo buffer.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Appleton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Wisconsin works roughly 50.2 hours a month to cover Appleton's median rent of $1,187.
Where is rent cheaper than Appleton for a bus driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Janesville ($1,186/mo), Stevens Point ($1,186/mo), Fond du Lac ($1,186/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.