Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Lakewood, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41.8% of gross income.
Lakewood rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Jersey 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 New Jersey cities have lower median rent than Lakewood, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lakewood
View full rent data for Lakewood, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Lakewood, NJ?
Median rent in Lakewood is $2,021 a month. A typical bus driver in New Jersey earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 41.8% 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 Lakewood?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New Jersey (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Lakewood's current median rent is $2,021/mo, which is $570/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Lakewood?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New Jersey works roughly 72.4 hours a month to cover Lakewood's median rent of $2,021.
Where is rent cheaper than Lakewood for a bus driver?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Paterson ($2,020/mo), Vineland ($2,018/mo), Woodbury ($2,017/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.