Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in La Crosse, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.8% of gross income.
La Crosse rent: September 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 La Crosse, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for La Crosse
View full rent data for La Crosse, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in La Crosse, WI?
Median rent in La Crosse is $1,346 a month. A typical bus driver in Wisconsin earns about $49,229 a year, which makes that rent 32.8% 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 La Crosse?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Wisconsin (~$49,229/yr) supports up to $1,231 a month in rent. La Crosse's current median rent is $1,346/mo, which is $115/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in La Crosse?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Wisconsin works roughly 56.9 hours a month to cover La Crosse's median rent of $1,346.
Where is rent cheaper than La Crosse for a bus driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Waukesha ($1,343/mo), Menomonie ($1,342/mo), Saint Francis ($1,341/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.