Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Princeton, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 71.6% of gross income.
Princeton 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 Princeton, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Princeton
View full rent data for Princeton, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Princeton, NJ?
Median rent in Princeton is $3,461 a month. A typical bus driver in New Jersey earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 71.6% 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 Princeton?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New Jersey (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Princeton's current median rent is $3,461/mo, which is $2,010/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Princeton?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New Jersey works roughly 124 hours a month to cover Princeton's median rent of $3,461.
Where is rent cheaper than Princeton for a bus driver?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Morris Plains ($3,458/mo), Morris Plains ($3,458/mo), Millburn ($3,454/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.