Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Scarborough, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 57.5% of gross income.
Scarborough rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).
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 Scarborough, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Scarborough
View full rent data for Scarborough, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Scarborough, ME?
Median rent in Scarborough is $2,714 a month. A typical carpenter in Maine earns about $56,674 a year, which makes that rent 57.5% 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 Scarborough?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Maine (~$56,674/yr) supports up to $1,417 a month in rent. Scarborough's current median rent is $2,714/mo, which is $1,297/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Scarborough?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Maine works roughly 99.6 hours a month to cover Scarborough's median rent of $2,714.
Where is rent cheaper than Scarborough for a carpenter?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Freeport ($2,700/mo), Gorham ($2,650/mo), Freeport ($2,648/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.