Can A Truck Driver Afford Rent in California, MD?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46% of gross income.
California rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland state estimate).
About rent and a truck driver salary
Truck driver pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Because many drivers can base anywhere along their route, the home-city rent decision has an outsized effect on take-home. At the national-average driver salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,418 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets keep rent within that range and which push it out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Maryland cities have lower median rent than California, which improves the affordability math on a truck driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for California
View full rent data for California, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a truck driver afford rent in California, MD?
Median rent in California is $2,346 a month. A typical truck driver in Maryland earns about $61,247 a year, which makes that rent 46% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a truck driver afford in California?
Using the 30% rule, a truck driver salary in Maryland (~$61,247/yr) supports up to $1,531 a month in rent. California's current median rent is $2,346/mo, which is $815/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a truck driver work to cover rent in California?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a truck driver in Maryland works roughly 79.7 hours a month to cover California's median rent of $2,346.
Where is rent cheaper than California for a truck driver?
Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include Hanover ($2,345/mo), Elkridge ($2,345/mo), Pasadena ($2,342/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a truck driver salary.