Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Elm Grove, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 80% of gross income.
Elm Grove rent: April 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 Elm Grove, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Elm Grove
View full rent data for Elm Grove, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Elm Grove, WI?
Median rent in Elm Grove is $3,281 a month. A typical bus driver in Wisconsin earns about $49,229 a year, which makes that rent 80% 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 Elm Grove?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Wisconsin (~$49,229/yr) supports up to $1,231 a month in rent. Elm Grove's current median rent is $3,281/mo, which is $2,050/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Elm Grove?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Wisconsin works roughly 138.6 hours a month to cover Elm Grove's median rent of $3,281.
Where is rent cheaper than Elm Grove for a bus driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Whitefish Bay ($2,819/mo), Whitefish Bay ($2,562/mo), Whitefish Bay ($2,513/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.