Can A Nursing Assistant Afford Rent in Portland, ME?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 79.1% of gross income.
Portland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).
About rent and a nursing assistant salary
Nursing assistant (CNA) pay falls below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in nearly every US metro, which is the central tension behind the widely studied direct-care workforce affordability gap. At the national-average CNA salary, the 30% rule supports about $990 a month in rent — below median rent in most cities. The per-city pages quantify how far below.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Maine cities have lower median rent than Portland, which improves the affordability math on a nursing assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Portland
View full rent data for Portland, ME →Frequently asked questions
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Portland, ME?
Median rent in Portland is $2,429 a month. A typical nursing assistant in Maine earns about $36,837 a year, which makes that rent 79.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a nursing assistant afford in Portland?
Using the 30% rule, a nursing assistant salary in Maine (~$36,837/yr) supports up to $921 a month in rent. Portland's current median rent is $2,429/mo, which is $1,508/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a nursing assistant work to cover rent in Portland?
At an hourly equivalent of about $18 an hour, a nursing assistant in Maine works roughly 137.2 hours a month to cover Portland's median rent of $2,429.
Where is rent cheaper than Portland for a nursing assistant?
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 nursing assistant salary.