I work for the university, specifically the national lab on route 1. If possible, depending on you commuting circumstances, I would try to not live in the immediate area unless it’s 100% required. Not that it isn’t an amazing place to live and work, it is, but it’s going to cost you $$$$. I would look at Cranbury, Lawrenceville, Hamilton, for cheaper alternatives while still being only a 10-20 mins commute. West/East Windsor are nearby too, though typically more expensive then the other suggestions.

Realistically, if you’re looking to rent in the Princeton area without roommates or a spouse with income, have a car for transportation, and still have a small amount left over so you aren’t sitting in you apartment all weekend, I would think $80k a year to start, even that might be pushing it, we’re talking about one of the more expensive areas, in one of the more expensive states, in the most expensive region in the US.