Can A Chef Afford Rent in Biddeford, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.3% of gross income.
Biddeford rent: July 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 Biddeford, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Biddeford
View full rent data for Biddeford, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Biddeford, ME?
Median rent in Biddeford is $2,003 a month. A typical chef in Maine earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 40.3% 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 Biddeford?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maine (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Biddeford's current median rent is $2,003/mo, which is $511/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Biddeford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Maine works roughly 69.8 hours a month to cover Biddeford's median rent of $2,003.
Where is rent cheaper than Biddeford for a chef?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Rockland ($1,985/mo), Orono ($1,975/mo), Brunswick ($1,971/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.