Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Newton, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 73.6% of gross income.
Newton 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 Newton, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Newton
View full rent data for Newton, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Newton, MA?
Median rent in Newton is $3,685 a month. A typical bus driver in Massachusetts earns about $60,111 a year, which makes that rent 73.6% 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 Newton?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Massachusetts (~$60,111/yr) supports up to $1,503 a month in rent. Newton's current median rent is $3,685/mo, which is $2,182/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Newton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a bus driver in Massachusetts works roughly 127.5 hours a month to cover Newton's median rent of $3,685.
Where is rent cheaper than Newton for a bus driver?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Somerville ($3,661/mo), Boston ($3,652/mo), Hingham ($3,640/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.