Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Madison, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.4% of gross income.
Madison 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 Madison, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Madison
View full rent data for Madison, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Madison, WI?
Median rent in Madison is $1,656 a month. A typical bus driver in Wisconsin earns about $49,229 a year, which makes that rent 40.4% 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 Madison?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Wisconsin (~$49,229/yr) supports up to $1,231 a month in rent. Madison's current median rent is $1,656/mo, which is $425/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Madison?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Wisconsin works roughly 70 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $1,656.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a bus driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Kenosha ($1,655/mo), Middleton ($1,650/mo), Saint Francis ($1,649/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.