Can A Chef Afford Rent in Portland, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 48.9% of gross income.
Portland 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 Portland, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portland
View full rent data for Portland, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Portland, ME?
Median rent in Portland is $2,429 a month. A typical chef in Maine earns about $59,660 a year, which makes that rent 48.9% 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 Portland?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Maine (~$59,660/yr) supports up to $1,492 a month in rent. Portland's current median rent is $2,429/mo, which is $937/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Portland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a chef in Maine works roughly 84.7 hours a month to cover Portland's median rent of $2,429.
Where is rent cheaper than Portland for a chef?
Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Yarmouth ($2,421/mo), South Portland ($2,412/mo), Kittery ($2,397/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.