Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Wauwatosa, WI?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42% of gross income.
Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Wauwatosa
View full rent data for Wauwatosa, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Wauwatosa, WI?
Median rent in Wauwatosa is $1,722 a month. A typical bus driver in Wisconsin earns about $49,229 a year, which makes that rent 42% 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 Wauwatosa?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Wisconsin (~$49,229/yr) supports up to $1,231 a month in rent. Wauwatosa's current median rent is $1,722/mo, which is $491/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Wauwatosa?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Wisconsin works roughly 72.8 hours a month to cover Wauwatosa's median rent of $1,722.
Where is rent cheaper than Wauwatosa for a bus driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Saint Francis ($1,721/mo), Glendale ($1,721/mo), Saint Francis ($1,720/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.