Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Waterville, ME?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.4% of gross income.
Waterville rent: June 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 Waterville, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Waterville
View full rent data for Waterville, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Waterville, ME?
Median rent in Waterville is $1,295 a month. A typical carpenter in Maine earns about $56,674 a year, which makes that rent 27.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Waterville?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Maine (~$56,674/yr) supports up to $1,417 a month in rent. Waterville's current median rent is $1,295/mo, which leaves a $122/mo buffer.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Waterville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Maine works roughly 47.5 hours a month to cover Waterville's median rent of $1,295.
Where is rent cheaper than Waterville for a carpenter?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Presque Isle ($1,150/mo), Presque Isle ($1,150/mo), Bangor ($1,081/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.