Can A Customer Service Representative Afford Rent in South Portland, ME?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 77.1% of gross income.

South Portland rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maine state estimate).

South Portland median rent
$2,533/mo
Customer Service Representative salary (Maine)
$39,441/yr
Rent as % of income
77.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $3,287, and the 30% rule supports up to $986/mo in rent. South Portland's median rent of $2,533 exceeds that threshold by $1,547/mo, putting a customer service representative salary into the rent-burdened range here. A customer service representative works roughly 133.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a customer service representative salary

Customer service rep pay sits below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in most US metros. At the national-average CSR salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,060 a month in rent, which is below median rent in most cities tracked here.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Maine cities have lower median rent than South Portland, which improves the affordability math on a customer service representative salary:

Freeport, ME
$2,532/mo (77% of income)
Yarmouth, ME
$2,518/mo (76.6% of income)
Kittery, ME
$2,472/mo (75.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for South Portland

View full rent data for South Portland, ME

Frequently asked questions

Can a customer service representative afford rent in South Portland, ME?

Median rent in South Portland is $2,533 a month. A typical customer service representative in Maine earns about $39,441 a year, which makes that rent 77.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a customer service representative afford in South Portland?

Using the 30% rule, a customer service representative salary in Maine (~$39,441/yr) supports up to $986 a month in rent. South Portland's current median rent is $2,533/mo, which is $1,547/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a customer service representative work to cover rent in South Portland?

At an hourly equivalent of about $19 an hour, a customer service representative in Maine works roughly 133.6 hours a month to cover South Portland's median rent of $2,533.

Where is rent cheaper than South Portland for a customer service representative?

Nearby Maine cities with lower median rent include Freeport ($2,532/mo), Yarmouth ($2,518/mo), Kittery ($2,472/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a customer service representative salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Maine state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for South Portland, ME. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.