Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Westwood, NJ?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 64.6% of gross income.
Westwood rent: January 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 Westwood, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Westwood
View full rent data for Westwood, NJ →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Westwood, NJ?
Median rent in Westwood is $3,125 a month. A typical bus driver in New Jersey earns about $58,038 a year, which makes that rent 64.6% 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 Westwood?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in New Jersey (~$58,038/yr) supports up to $1,451 a month in rent. Westwood's current median rent is $3,125/mo, which is $1,674/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Westwood?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a bus driver in New Jersey works roughly 112 hours a month to cover Westwood's median rent of $3,125.
Where is rent cheaper than Westwood for a bus driver?
Nearby New Jersey cities with lower median rent include Howell ($3,123/mo), Red Bank ($3,122/mo), Cranford ($3,121/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.