Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in West Bend, WI?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.1% of gross income.
West Bend 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 West Bend, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for West Bend
View full rent data for West Bend, WI →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in West Bend, WI?
Median rent in West Bend is $1,398 a month. A typical bus driver in Wisconsin earns about $49,229 a year, which makes that rent 34.1% 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 West Bend?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Wisconsin (~$49,229/yr) supports up to $1,231 a month in rent. West Bend's current median rent is $1,398/mo, which is $167/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in West Bend?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a bus driver in Wisconsin works roughly 59.1 hours a month to cover West Bend's median rent of $1,398.
Where is rent cheaper than West Bend for a bus driver?
Nearby Wisconsin cities with lower median rent include Kaukauna ($1,397/mo), Milwaukee ($1,395/mo), Watertown ($1,395/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.