Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Auburn, ME?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.8% of gross income.

Auburn rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).

Auburn median rent
$1,503/mo
Carpenter salary (Maine)
$56,674/yr
Rent as % of income
31.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,723, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,417/mo in rent. Auburn's median rent of $1,503 exceeds that threshold by $86/mo, putting a carpenter salary into the rent-burdened range here. A carpenter works roughly 55.2 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a carpenter salary

Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Maine cities have lower median rent than Auburn, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:

Lewiston, ME
$1,480/mo (31.3% of income)
Lewiston, ME
$1,479/mo (31.3% of income)
Bangor, ME
$1,477/mo (31.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Auburn

View full rent data for Auburn, ME

Frequently asked questions

Can a carpenter afford rent in Auburn, ME?

Median rent in Auburn is $1,503 a month. A typical carpenter in Maine earns about $56,674 a year, which makes that rent 31.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a carpenter afford in Auburn?

Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Maine (~$56,674/yr) supports up to $1,417 a month in rent. Auburn's current median rent is $1,503/mo, which is $86/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Auburn?

At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Maine works roughly 55.2 hours a month to cover Auburn's median rent of $1,503.

Where is rent cheaper than Auburn for a carpenter?

Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Lewiston ($1,480/mo), Lewiston ($1,479/mo), Bangor ($1,477/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Maine state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Auburn, ME. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.