Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in South Orange, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 64.9% of gross income.
South Orange 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 South Orange, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for South Orange
View full rent data for South Orange, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in South Orange, NJ?
Median rent in South Orange is $3,138 a month. A typical bus driver in New Jersey earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 64.9% 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 South Orange?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New Jersey (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. South Orange's current median rent is $3,138/mo, which is $1,687/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in South Orange?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New Jersey works roughly 112.5 hours a month to cover South Orange's median rent of $3,138.
Where is rent cheaper than South Orange for a bus driver?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Montville ($3,131/mo), Teaneck ($3,126/mo), Howell ($3,125/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.