Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Charleston, WV?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.3% of gross income.
Charleston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (West Virginia 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 West Virginia cities have lower median rent than Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Charleston
View full rent data for Charleston, WV →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Charleston, WV?
Median rent in Charleston is $1,370 a month. A typical bus driver in West Virginia earns about $44,047 a year, which makes that rent 37.3% 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 Charleston?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in West Virginia (~$44,047/yr) supports up to $1,101 a month in rent. Charleston's current median rent is $1,370/mo, which is $269/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Charleston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $21 an hour, a bus driver in West Virginia works roughly 64.7 hours a month to cover Charleston's median rent of $1,370.
Where is rent cheaper than Charleston for a bus driver?
Nearby West Virginia cities with lower median rent include Morgantown ($1,338/mo), Bridgeport ($1,320/mo), Morgantown ($1,261/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.