Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Madison, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39.5% of gross income.
Madison rent: July 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 $1,621 a month. A typical bus driver in Wisconsin earns about $49,229 a year, which makes that rent 39.5% 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 $1,621/mo, which is $390/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 68.5 hours a month to cover Madison's median rent of $1,621.
Where is rent cheaper than Madison for a bus driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include River Falls ($1,619/mo), Brown Deer ($1,618/mo), Kenosha ($1,618/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.