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Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Virginia: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

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

Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$52,940
Median annual (2025)
-2.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$51,851
COL-adjusted (RPP=102.1)

Virginia Cost of Living Index

Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity earning $52,940 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $51,851 in an average-cost US state.

VA: 102.1
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 Virginia's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $39,430 $38,619 $-810
25th Percentile (P25) $46,330 $45,377 $-952
Median (P50) $52,940 $51,851 $-1,088
75th Percentile (P75) $62,400 $61,116 $-1,283
90th Percentile (P90) $76,170 $74,603 $-1,566
Key Insight

Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $52,940 keeps most of its value at $51,851 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Virginia Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 102.1

With an RPP of 102.1, Virginia is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Minor COL Adjustment for This Salary

-2.1%

After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living, $52,940 nominal nets out to $51,851 in real purchasing power — a small 2.1% loss. The state's cost profile is close enough to average that COL alone shouldn't drive location decisions for this Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#31 / 51

Virginia's rank of #31 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity trails the national half-way line.

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.

$78,513
RPP 107.6
2. Ohio
$68,590
RPP 91.5
$66,586
RPP 91.1
$65,828
RPP 109.8
$64,363
RPP 101.3
6. Nevada
$64,004
RPP 96.4
7. Indiana
$63,627
RPP 91.8
8. Alaska
$62,892
RPP 102.0
$62,114
RPP 105.0
10. Hawaii
$61,823
RPP 110.8

Virginia ranks #31 out of 51 states for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity take-home pay in Virginia after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Virginia earns a median salary of $52,940 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $51,851 — a -2.1% difference.

Is Virginia expensive to live in?

Virginia's cost of living is 2.1% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Virginia is 102.1 (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 Virginia: $52,940 x (100 / 102.1) = $51,851. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Virginia offset the salary?

Partially — a Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity's nominal salary of $52,940 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $51,851. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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