Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Waukesha, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.3% of gross income.
Waukesha 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 Waukesha, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waukesha
View full rent data for Waukesha, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Waukesha, WI?
Median rent in Waukesha is $1,490 a month. A typical bus driver in Wisconsin earns about $49,229 a year, which makes that rent 36.3% 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 Waukesha?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Wisconsin (~$49,229/yr) supports up to $1,231 a month in rent. Waukesha's current median rent is $1,490/mo, which is $259/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Waukesha?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Wisconsin works roughly 63 hours a month to cover Waukesha's median rent of $1,490.
Where is rent cheaper than Waukesha for a bus driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Milwaukee ($1,469/mo), Milwaukee ($1,461/mo), West Allis ($1,454/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.