Can A Bus Driver Afford Rent in Portland, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 60.5% of gross income.
Portland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine 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 Maine cities have lower median rent than Portland, which improves the affordability math on a bus driver salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portland
View full rent data for Portland, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a bus driver afford rent in Portland, ME?
Median rent in Portland is $2,429 a month. A typical bus driver in Maine earns about $48,193 a year, which makes that rent 60.5% 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 Portland?
Using the 30% rule, a bus driver salary in Maine (~$48,193/yr) supports up to $1,205 a month in rent. Portland's current median rent is $2,429/mo, which is $1,224/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a bus driver work to cover rent in Portland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a bus driver in Maine works roughly 104.8 hours a month to cover Portland's median rent of $2,429.
Where is rent cheaper than Portland for a bus driver?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Yarmouth ($2,421/mo), South Portland ($2,412/mo), Kittery ($2,397/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bus driver salary.