Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in North Plainfield, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.7% of gross income.
North Plainfield 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 North Plainfield, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for North Plainfield
View full rent data for North Plainfield, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in North Plainfield, NJ?
Median rent in North Plainfield is $2,113 a month. A typical bus driver in New Jersey earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 43.7% 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 North Plainfield?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New Jersey (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. North Plainfield's current median rent is $2,113/mo, which is $662/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in North Plainfield?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New Jersey works roughly 75.7 hours a month to cover North Plainfield's median rent of $2,113.
Where is rent cheaper than North Plainfield for a bus driver?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Somerville ($2,111/mo), Ridgefield Park ($2,109/mo), Budd Lake ($2,107/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.