Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Somerset, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 56.2% of gross income.
Somerset 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 Somerset, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Somerset
View full rent data for Somerset, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Somerset, NJ?
Median rent in Somerset is $2,720 a month. A typical bus driver in New Jersey earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 56.2% 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 Somerset?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New Jersey (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Somerset's current median rent is $2,720/mo, which is $1,269/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Somerset?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New Jersey works roughly 97.5 hours a month to cover Somerset's median rent of $2,720.
Where is rent cheaper than Somerset for a bus driver?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Long Branch ($2,719/mo), Bridgewater Township ($2,719/mo), Maplewood ($2,718/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.