Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Maplewood, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 59.4% of gross income.
Maplewood rent: September 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 Maplewood, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Maplewood
View full rent data for Maplewood, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Maplewood, NJ?
Median rent in Maplewood is $2,875 a month. A typical bus driver in New Jersey earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 59.4% 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 Maplewood?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New Jersey (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Maplewood's current median rent is $2,875/mo, which is $1,424/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Maplewood?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New Jersey works roughly 103 hours a month to cover Maplewood's median rent of $2,875.
Where is rent cheaper than Maplewood for a bus driver?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include West Orange ($2,874/mo), Bridgewater Township ($2,873/mo), Summit ($2,872/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.