Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Middleton, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 39% of gross income.
Middleton 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 Middleton, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Middleton
View full rent data for Middleton, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Middleton, WI?
Median rent in Middleton is $1,601 a month. A typical bus driver in Wisconsin earns about $49,229 a year, which makes that rent 39% 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 Middleton?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Wisconsin (~$49,229/yr) supports up to $1,231 a month in rent. Middleton's current median rent is $1,601/mo, which is $370/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Middleton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Wisconsin works roughly 67.6 hours a month to cover Middleton's median rent of $1,601.
Where is rent cheaper than Middleton for a bus driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include River Falls ($1,600/mo), Wauwatosa ($1,600/mo), Germantown ($1,600/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.