Can A Chef Afford Rent in Bath, ME?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.7% of gross income.
Bath rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).
About rent and a chef salary
Chef pay varies sharply by restaurant type, with executive chefs at high-end establishments earning materially above the BLS mean. At the national-average chef salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,604 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Maine cities have lower median rent than Bath, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Bath
View full rent data for Bath, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Bath, ME?
Median rent in Bath is $1,825 a month. A typical chef in Maine earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 36.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a chef afford in Bath?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maine (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Bath's current median rent is $1,825/mo, which is $333/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Bath?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Maine works roughly 63.6 hours a month to cover Bath's median rent of $1,825.
Where is rent cheaper than Bath for a chef?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Orono ($1,805/mo), Old Town ($1,801/mo), South Portland ($1,799/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.