Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in New Bedford, MA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38.2% of gross income.
New Bedford rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than New Bedford, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for New Bedford
View full rent data for New Bedford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in New Bedford, MA?
Median rent in New Bedford is $1,916 a month. A typical bus driver in Massachusetts earns about $60,111 a year, which makes that rent 38.2% 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 New Bedford?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Massachusetts (~$60,111/yr) supports up to $1,503 a month in rent. New Bedford's current median rent is $1,916/mo, which is $413/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in New Bedford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in Massachusetts works roughly 66.3 hours a month to cover New Bedford's median rent of $1,916.
Where is rent cheaper than New Bedford for a bus driver?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Westfield ($1,910/mo), Leominster ($1,908/mo), Boxboro ($1,906/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.