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Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Alabama: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary really buy you in Alabama?

Alabama is 12.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$37,300
Median annual (2024)
+13.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$42,482
COL-adjusted (RPP=87.8)

Alabama Cost of Living Index

Alabama's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 87.8, meaning prices are 12.2% lower the national average. A Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity earning $37,300 in Alabama has the equivalent purchasing power of $42,482 in an average-cost US state.

AL: 87.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Alabama's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $26,980 $30,728 +$3,748
25th Percentile (P25) $34,640 $39,453 +$4,813
Median (P50) $37,300 $42,482 +$5,182
75th Percentile (P75) $45,410 $51,719 +$6,309
90th Percentile (P90) $47,510 $54,111 +$6,601
Key Insight

A Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Alabama earns $37,300 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 14% further — like earning $42,482 in an average-cost state. This makes Alabama one of the best value states for this occupation.

Best States for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity (After Cost of Living)

Where does Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$76,598
RPP 107.6
$69,052
RPP 101.3
$66,133
RPP 105.0
$64,080
RPP 109.8
5. Hawaii
$62,355
RPP 110.8
6. Alaska
$61,078
RPP 102.0
$59,931
RPP 102.3
8. Ohio
$59,409
RPP 91.5
$59,374
RPP 91.1
10. Oregon
$59,005
RPP 106.6

Alabama ranks #49 out of 50 states for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Alabama after cost of living?

A Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Alabama earns a median salary of $37,300 per year. After adjusting for Alabama's cost of living (RPP=87.8), the real purchasing power is $42,482 — a +13.9% difference.

Is Alabama expensive to live in?

Alabama's cost of living is 12.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Alabama is 87.8 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Alabama: $37,300 x (100 / 87.8) = $42,482. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Alabama financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Alabama enjoys 13.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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